NC barbecue
 

My son and I are doing a college visit trip to NC and would love to get in some barbecue. We'll be leaving Greensboro around 10 or 11 and heading towards Asheville. My husband suggested a place in Lexington (can't think of the name), but that's a little out of the way. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Forgot to add - we like eastern and Piedmont!

We used to live in NC and Oh how I miss the barbecue!!! It's been a few years but unless they've changed, you can't go wrong with Lexington Barbecue (336) 249-9814 | 10 US Highway 29 70 S, Lexington NC. Enjoy!!!

Steve

Here is the Roadfood BBQ forum... lots of die-hard BBQ fans posting and I think you'll find some great NC ideas.

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=2

You need this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Garners-Guide-...148919-0122028

A friend gave it to me the last time I visited him in western North Carolina.

Dan
familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com

Speedy's in Lexington.

Another vote for Lexington Bar-b-que on Hwy 29. It is simply the BEST!

See also the Little Pig in Statesville, near the intersection of I-77 and I-40 but you will need local directions.

Sorry, but everyone knows you can't get good barbecue West of Raleigh.



JUST KIDDING (sort of). But if you are serious about your cue, then you have to detour to Lexington (I agree with Speedy's and Lex BBQ).

OK, you've talked me into Lexington. I was going to stay north so we could check out our old neighborhood in Winston-Salem and get in a quick visit with a friend there - but barbecue has won out. Now to decide which one!

bellhouse,

old neighborhood in Winston-Salem? How did you live that close and not get pulled into Lexington by the force of BBQ?? :-)

Anyway, small world . . . my better half and I lived in W/S for nearly 15 years, with Ardmore as our last neighborhood.

Yeah, it would have to be Lexington.

The reason? A 2 month old, a 3 year old, a 5 year old and a husband getting his MBA at Wake Forest! I did know about it, but just managing the day to day stuff was hard enough. I threatened to hang a picture of DH in each of the boys' rooms so they would recognize him when he finally finished school......We lived near Wake, out Reynolda. It was a really nice place to live, but our next stop (and last) was my hometown (Bradenton, FL) so I was happy to move on.

Why not just go to Little Richards in Winston? Not as good as Speedy's but, then again, if you're heading from Winston to Asheville, I'd rather eat at Little Richards for "close to Speedy's" barbecue rather than add the additional time it would take you to go through Lexington on your way to Asheville.

Actaully we're starting in Greensboro following a college visit/interview, both of which are pretty early - even Lexington might be a bir early for lunch. However, if my son wants to see our old neighborhood in Winston-Salem, that would be a good alternative - thanks.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. What I meant to say is that it's more direct to drive through from Greensboro through Winston to Asheville, instead of driving from Greensboro to Lexington to Asheville. So, rather than incur the additional driving time, I would take I-40 Business from Greensboro to Winston, stop off at Little Richards, and then get right back on I-40 West and head to Asheville.

P.S. It's never too early for BBQ.

Agree with "it's never too early" but in case that's a possibility, get some to go. Even if it's not too early, get some to go!!! Whatever you do, pleeeeze don't join that crowd that puts their slaw on their bbq - eat it as a side. And don't forget to gets some Brunswick stew while you're there. And wash it down with sweet tea. You need to go whole hog, so to speak. :-)

Steve

Steve

I totally disagree with Steve. DO put slaw and hot sauce on your BBQ ... even better, buy two. One with slaw, one plain, and let us know which you like best. I would go to Little Richard's in Winston. Their BBQ is excellent. There definitely is not enough difference to make a special trip to Lexington, IMHO. :-)

I've always put slaw on my 'cue.

Ain't no way you can eat a BBQ sandwich without slaw!

Now the debate is on! OK - if you get a SANDWICH add the slaw, but if you get a Big old platter of 'Q, which is my choice, douse it with whatever sauce they give you and dig in. Golly-gee, if you want bread get hush puppies!

Steve

Hmmmm... 20 posts. You'd think Tar Heels take their 'Q seriously. BTW, I think it was during the Reagan administration the White House wanted to serve a meal for some so-and-so totally unique to the US. North Carolina BBQ and corn on the cob made the menu. :-)

Steve

This is NC Que we talkin' 'bout.

ALL que sandwiches MUST be on a white bread bun - preferably Merita, but Bunny Bread is OK too - as long as it is your generic white bread bun you hafta tear apart.

As Steve said, ALL que sandwiches MUST have slaw atop them. As a further statement, you MUST have sweetea as your choice of beverage. (Pepsi is fine - Coke is not.)

There will be other things on the table to choose from which you must carefully select from if you get a plate.

Black pepper for the bawld or biled puhtaytuhs (depending on where you are), Texas Pete (NO NO NO Tabasco sauce) for the que and/or okra and/or Brunswick stew.

The other must-have - the vinegar-based extra bottle of suace they put on the table.

And the only fitting end to this repast?
My Aunt Ella's Banana Pudding.

What a shame you'll be too far west to get any BBQ...

On Highway 66 in Kernersville, just south of "Business 40" you will find Prissy Polly's Barbecue which I like just as much if not better than Little Richard's or Speedy's. They have BOTH eastern and Lexington style. If you answer the trivia question you can get a free banana pudding. Neat, red and white old saloon-looking building. Nice folks and an almost old country store kind of atmosphere.

Check it out since you will be driving right past it.

RP

Texas Pete, made in Winston-Salem by Garner Foods, is a must. No tabasco..EVER!

Stuck in Greensboro airport as i write. I just ate at prissy pollys for the first time as it happened to be beside the gas station at which I refilled my rental car. Great stuff.

Thanks so much everyone. I've made notes on all the places ya'll have recommended and we will make our decision based on what time Will finishes at Guilford College. In Nashville (college and a bit after) we used to go to a beer and barbecue place that served their 'cue (tomato base) on cornbread pancakes with slaw on the side - some (DH) put it on top, others ate it as a side (me). I can't remember the name, but it was the wonderful.

gut, that is our favorite place too! I can smell it now!

Any places to stay near Lexington, appropriate for a family? We were thinking of sampling multiple places (we've done some eastern NC BBQ previously), and staying 2 or 3 nights.

Or is there another town near enough (within a half hour) to make visits to Lexington?

From Lexington, going down the road toward Salisbury and Charlotte, you get alot of hotel choices (urban sprawl). I think you'll have alot of choices along that interstate.

I think it will be a smart idea to try a few different places in Lex -- it is like wine. You try a few different ones and your palate can start to taste the subtle differences.

How about Winston Salem? It is about a half hour on US 52 N from Lexington. It has an exceptional historical area worth a visit. It has great shopping, first class arts scene, and tons of excellent restaurants.

"I think it will be a smart idea to try a few different places in Lex -- it is like wine. You try a few different ones and your palate can start to taste the subtle differences."

Our feelings exactly! We have memories of BBQ sandwiches from Mitchell's (not re-opened yet?) and Duke's from further east, but we'd love to compare and contrast. Speedy's and Lexington Barbecue are on our menu, at least.

Just bought Garner's NC barbecue book, based on recommendations from this board. Great stuff! Very very close to buying a $500 electric smoker of my own...

I'll recommend you add BBQ Center in Lexington, or make the trip up to Greensboro and Stamey's.

keeping this one fresh... interesting topic.

I live in Hickory (now) but have tried BBQ all over the state from Fayetteville, Raleigh, Lexington, Charlotte area....it has been some time for most of those places but when I finally did get a chance to stop in Lexington--I don't remember being overly excited!

Around here a local favorite is Shell's BBQ. I love their hushpuppies and they make their own Pimento Cheese--which they offer with BBQ on Grilled Texas Toast. Hey, a Pregnant girl gets some weird cravings!

It is very easy to get too and on your way to Asheville off of the new exit (~127) In between Fairgrove Church Road Exit and Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. McDonald Parkway turn RIGHT and follow to Springs Rd, turn Right at the Hess Gas Station and Shell's is down on your left in a shiny diner looking building! Closed on Sunday

After all that, we ended up running late in Greensboro because Will really liked Guilford and wanted to look around some more after our tour/interview. We went to Stamey's in Greensboro - I had a great barbecue sandwich with slaw, Will had one without, and we shared hushpuppies. Yum! Now if he just decides on Guilford we will have an excuse to get up to NC to try the other places y'all have recommended....Thanks!

Bridges BBQ Lodge in Shelby is the best in my book.

Hi Bellhouse,
I know it's been a while since your visit to the area, but just wanted you to know that you made a good choice, albeit accidently. Stamey's is mad delicious BBQ. (I was in Barnes and Nobles a month or so ago, and a man visiting from Japan asked me how to get to Stamey's! He had heard about it and was trying to find it in books there)!!!! I grew up here and live down the road from Guilford. If you need any Greensboro, Guilford College, Chapel Hill (our alma mater) or UNC-G (parents used to teach there) info, let me know. I can surely help.
Good Luck to you and your son!

Klasvan - Thanks so much! Will is still waiting to hear from College of Wooster (first choice), but Guilford is a very close second. If he ends up there, I'll be sure to contact you. Funny about the Japanese tourist!