Raleigh road trip

[LMAJ]

Hello Folks - Big Al and I are heading to Raleigh NC - anyone have a favorite BBQ place or resturants in general we should hit? How about on the way? Heading down 301 out of Delaware to I-95 to I-85.
Thanks! Lynn-Michele

Just realized this should probably be moved to the Q-talk forum - Mods - could you do that? Thanks.

 

[N8man]

Past Raleigh a ways, in Goldsboro, is a place called
Wilber's Barbecue, 4172 Us Highway 70 E, Goldsboro, NC 27534
Well worth the drive...it is good Pork BBQ and the Hush Puppies come with White Dipping Gravy..mmmmmmm...mmmm
It is a fine example of Traditional Eastern North Carolina (Cradle of the Que!!) Barbecue.
I believe it is on the Historic Barbecue Trail of North Carolina.....
And of course you know all good Que started out here....

 

[Brauma]

If you get hungry around Ashland, VA (mile marker 92 on I95 about 15 miles north of Richmond, VA) there is a really good little BBQ joint not too far from the interstate called Va BBQ Company.

Take the exit then a right at the stop sign. You'll be on Rt 54. Go thru a few stop lights till you get to a big intersection - Rt 1. Go straight thru the light and cross Rt 1. Go about 100 yards, it'll be on your right in a little white house. Very small sign out front and only a few parking spaces.

Now, if you want something bigger, take a left at the light on Rt 1 going South. Go maybe 1/4 mile and The Smoky Pig will be on your right. Very popular local place. Lots of seating and lots of deserts and sides.

I like Va BBQ Co a little better. Its all about the Q.

 

[drbbq]

If you've never been to a real NC BBQ joint you may be in for a big surprise. It's gonna be chopped real fine with barely any smoke taste or bark and the sauce is pretty much just vinegar.
The locals love it but it's not what most travelers expect. I was totally underwhelmed at Wilber's.

 

[N8man]

http://www.seriouseats.com/eating_out/2007/09/wilbers-barbecue.html

 

[drbbq]

OK, ex-local bloggers like it too and New York critics that want to be bbq-hip praise it.
But I ate there with a well known food writer to keep me honest, and I'll stand by my opinion.

 

[N8man]

http://www.visitnc.com/experience/no3_nc_food/food_xp_nceats_bbq.asp

 

[drbbq]

More locals. This book agrees with me.

 

[N8man]

Good one, Ray...:grin:

 

[Bigdog]

More locals. This book agrees with me.

I've heard of that farker.:wink:

 

[N8man]

Locals Want To Know....

Ray, was there a BBQ Joint in NC that you did like?:?:

 

[LMAJ]

Thanks guys - appreciate the info.
Anyone else out there?

 

[drbbq]

I liked Bill's and King's but mainly because they were buffets with lots of other stuff and I liked B's just because it was so unassuming and funky. My favorite BBQ was at Log Cabin in Albemarle.

It's not that I hated the stuff, it just wasn't what I was expecting or hoping for.

 

[Brauma]

My favorite BBQ was at Log Cabin in Albemarle.

Albemarle, VA, Ray?

 

[Brauma]

Woops. I just Googled it. There is an Albemarle, NC. Well fark me runnin. With a name like Albemarle you'd think there'd only be one.

The city of Charlottseville, VA is in Albemarle county. Home of T.J. (Thomas Jefferson), Monticello, UVA and Star Hill Brewing.

 

[N8man]

I liked Bill's and King's but mainly because they were buffets with lots of other stuff and I liked B's just because it was so unassuming and funky. My favorite BBQ was at Log Cabin in Albemarle.

It's not that I hated the stuff, it just wasn't what I was expecting or hoping for.

I guess with regional differences come regional palates....having familiy from various sides of the States, I can appreciate the subtleties and variations of cuisine i.e. eastern/western/northern/southern bbqs and accept the tastes as unique to one's heritage as well as to one's individual preconceptions of flavor
....it's all good to my mindset....:wink:

 

[drbbq]

Woops. I just Googled it. There is an Albemarle, NC. Well fark me runnin. With a name like Albemarle you'd think there'd only be one.

The city of Charlottseville, VA is in Albemarle county. Home of T.J. (Thomas Jefferson), Monticello, UVA and Star Hill Brewing.

Albemarle, NC is the home of Kelly Pickler.

 

[Brauma]

Albemarle, NC is the home of Kelly Pickler.

Never heard of her but I'm glad you brought me up to speed, Ray.

 

[bittertruth]

If you've never been to a real NC BBQ joint you may be in for a big surprise. It's gonna be chopped real fine with barely any smoke taste or bark and the sauce is pretty much just vinegar.
The locals love it but it's not what most travelers expect. I was totally underwhelmed at Wilber's.

This is why I never listen to just one person's opinion about BBQ resturaunts or styles whether he is a DR. or not. I have eaten BBQ from all over the country, Texas, Memphis, KC, and more recently all over the state of NC. Wilburs BBQ is a NC treasure and consistantly rated highly by patrons and experts alike. You can get your BBQ chopped fine, coarse or sliced. The BBQ has a light smokeyness that may be lost on folks who favor heavily smoked BBQ and as it is cooked from the whole hog and not just shoulders there is not a "bark".
As far as the sauce is concerned, it is not "just vinegar". It is vinegar based but has a mixture of spices and peppers. It is a traditional bbq sauce type that has been used all over the eastern part of NC since man first put pig to smoke. If you want to taste the Pork you don't want or need a heavy sauce with lots of crap in it.

If you don't like eastern style NC BBQ you will not like Wilber's or most of the BBQ resturaunts in the state of NC and you probably won't care to much for the Western style either(also referred to Lexington style).

Like most people on this board i have tried and loved all of the different styles of BBQ and they are all good! Despite their differences.

 

[Bigdog]

This is why I never listen to just one person's opinion about BBQ resturaunts or styles whether he is a DR. or not. I have eaten BBQ from all over the country, Texas, Memphis, KC, and more recently all over the state of NC. Wilburs BBQ is a NC treasure and consistantly rated highly by patrons and experts alike. You can get your BBQ chopped fine, coarse or sliced. The BBQ has a light smokeyness that may be lost on folks who favor heavily smoked BBQ and as it is cooked from the whole hog and not just shoulders there is not a "bark".
As far as the sauce is concerned, it is not "just vinegar". It is vinegar based but has a mixture of spices and peppers. It is a traditional bbq sauce type that has been used all over the eastern part of NC since man first put pig to smoke. If you want to taste the Pork you don't want or need a heavy sauce with lots of crap in it.

If you don't like eastern style NC BBQ you will not like Wilber's or most of the BBQ resturaunts in the state of NC and you probably won't care to much for the Western style either(also referred to Lexington style).

Like most people on this board i have tried and loved all of the different styles of BBQ and they are all good! Despite their differences.

Thanks BT. Always good to hear from you Bro.