Where to Find Charlotte’s Best Barbecue
Barbecue is more than a noun — it’s a way of life in North Carolina.
by Charlie Leonard
Whether you prefer whole hog or pork shoulder, burnt ends or brisket or maybe some smoked wings with a few racks of ribs in between, this list of Charlotte-area barbecue joints is sure to fire up your craving for stellar local ‘cue.
Bar-B-Q King
Area: West Charlotte
A West Charlotte treasure since 1959, Bar-B-Q King still serves barbecue sandwiches curbside. Want that authentic park-and-eat experience? Don’t leave until you’ve demolished an order of their famous Bar-B-Q fried chicken, which comes dunked in barbecue sauce. This drool-worthy dish was even featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Big Tiny’s BBQ
Area: Mooresville
After 25 years in racing, Texas-native John Maddox decided to hang up his helmet and become a pitmaster, specializing in mesquite-style smoked meats showcased in dishes like the chopped brisket sandwich. John and his wife, Elizabeth, opened Big Tiny’s, named after their late dog, Tiny, and serve up what’s been dubbed “dog gone good BBQ.”
Blue Bar & Smokehouse
Area: Fort Mill, S.C.
This local, fast-casual barbecue joint is all about the smoke: smoked wings with eight sauces to choose from, smoked brisket, smoked pork, smoked chicken and more. Joining the region’s barbecue lineup in late 2020, Blue Bar & Smokehouse serves up fresh barbecue, a full bar, live music and Southern hospitality.
Bobbee O’s BBQ
Area: North Charlotte
Bob Roberts has spent years perfecting his barbecue and homemade sauce techniques. While you can’t go wrong with any of the choices at Bobbee O’s BBQ, the pulled pork is the most popular because it truly puts the spotlight on the sauce. The restaurant’s slogan is even, “It’s all in the sauce!”
Bubba’s Barbecue
Area: North Charlotte
Bubba’s Barbecue has been a longtime favorite since its original concept, Jackson and Spoon’s Barbeque, opened in 1963. Ralph “Bubba” Miller serves eastern Carolina-style barbecue, using a 33-hour process to slow cook meat to lean, tender perfection. Wet your whistle with endless beverages from the all-you-can-drink soda station.
The Improper Pig
Area: Ballantyne, Fort Mill, S.C.
Leave your regional barbecue debates at the door and become a barbecue explorer at The Improper Pig. The menu features Asian-inspired barbecue dishes, like Southern-style egg rolls; Chow Bao Sliders with barbecue meat, Asian slaw and hoisin sauce; and even the vegetarian No Pig Sandwich, made with a hickory wood-grilled portobello mushroom.
Jon G’s Barbecue
Area: Regional
Plan for a Saturday barbecue excursion to Jon G’s Barbecue, located about an hour outside of Charlotte in Peachland. Jon G’s is best known for its Texas-inspired ‘que, such as slow-smoked brisket served with all the fixins. Skip the drive and track down Jon G’s food truck at breweries around Charlotte.
Kyle Fletcher’s BBQ & Catering
Area: Gastonia
Nestled in Gastonia, Kyle Fletcher’s BBQ & Catering serves juicy, western North Carolina-style pork and other favorites like fried bologna sandwiches and crispy onion rings. Kyle Fletcher’s regularly wins Best of Gaston awards and, if you’re a North Carolina Tar Heels basketball fan, you’ll love their interior decked out in memorabilia.
Mac’s Speed Shop
Neighborhood: South End, Steele Creek, Matthews, Cornelius and Concord
Mac’s Speed Shop serves smoky pulled pork, dry-rubbed beef brisket and a menu full of distinctive Southern fare. Pair your pulled pork with a cold craft beer. This homegrown chain boasts more than 60 beers on tap and even sponsors a beer club.
McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon
Neighborhood: LoSo
McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon is a true family operation. The moniker pays homage to McKoy Register, father of co-owner Namon and grandfather of co-owners Ryan and Jim. The spot serves up award-winning St. Louis-style ribs, smokehouse wings and other barbecue mainstays with a side of service that makes you feel like family.
Midwood Smokehouse
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, Montford, Huntersville and Ballantyne
Restaurateur Frank Scibelli and pitmaster Matt Barry toured and worked alongside barbecue joints throughout Texas, Kansas City and the Carolinas before debuting the popular concept, Midwood Smokehouse, in Charlotte. The culinary team attended a professional brisket school to perfect the restaurant’s Texas-style brisket and burnt ends.
Noble Smoke
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights, Optimist Park
Noble Smoke is a dream come to life, for more than 25 years, for longtime restaurateur Jim Noble. Noble Smoke pays tribute to the pitmaster legends that inspired him and his love of smoked meat. Try the chopped Cheshire pork with either western- or eastern-style slaw.
The Q Shack
Area: South Charlotte
If you’re on a mission for pork in a pinch, look no further than The Q Shack, a fast-casual go-to in the Promenade on Providence shopping center. This barbecue joint will satisfy your ‘cue cravings with its popular hickory-smoked pulled pork sandwich or chile-rubbed beef brisket.
R&R Bar-B-Que
Area: Concord
Robert “Bob” Critz and Rob Emore share a love for true eastern North Carolina-style, vinegar-based barbecue. With the same initial, and a restaurant located next to railroad tracks, R&R Bar-B-Que opened in 1998 and has been serving up Eastern-style ‘cue with all the fixins ever since.
Ray’s Country Smokehouse-Grill
Area: Gastonia
Barbecue is king at Ray’s Country Smokehouse-Grill, a Gastonia mainstay for smoked meats. Serving old-school smoked barbecue and traditional sides, the restaurant boasts plenty of pig to pair with its homemade vinegar-based sauce. You can also order one of Ray’s most praised dishes: a hearty plate of beef brisket and zesty potato salad.
RayNathan’s
Area: Gastonia
Owned by friends Stephen Carroll and Thomas Blanding, RayNathan’s is their dream of more than 20 years come to life. With a focus on hardwood-smoked meats in dishes like Stephen’s Brisket Sandwich, scratch-made sides and an old-school, Delta blues vibe, this must-try barbecue destination is all about people, pork and the popular banana pudding.
R.O.'s Bar-B-Cue
Area: Gastonia
A Gastonia institution for more than 75 years, R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue became famous for its sandwiches, sauce and slaw. Co-founder Pearl Black came up with the secret slaw recipe that’s featured on the Slaw Sandwich. Find R.O.’s mobile units around the area serving all the favorites, including pork sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, burgers and more.
The Smoke Pit
Area: Concord, Monroe, Gastonia and Salisbury
Serving Texas-style barbecue in North Carolina, The Smoke Pit's four Charlotte-area locations specialize in flavorful meat slow cooked for 18 hours over local hickory wood. Massive portions, tender meats and creative, scratch-made sides, like deviled egg potato salad and smoked pork barbecue beans, have garnered the restaurant a loyal following.
Sweet Lew’s BBQ
Neighborhood: Belmont, Charlotte
Sweet Lew’s transports guests back to the small Southern barbecue joints that you’d happen upon on an old country road. The menu is simple: meats slow smoked over a blend of hickory, pecan and peach woods; sides; drinks; and desserts. Order a combo platter or meat by the pound, including the smoked beef brisket.
Article originally written by Charlie Leonard. Updates by Arielle Patterson in March 2024.
