Do you ever crave good ole’ fashioned comfort food? You’re not alone. We’ve compiled some of the best barbecue spots in the Charlotte area to bring joy to your taste buds. From unforgettable sauce to 15-hour smoked brisket, these local favorites offer something for everyone.
Bar-B-Q King
Established in 1959, this historic location in West Charlotte serves barbecue the same way they did in the 50’s: curbside. Bar-B-Q King offers an authentic park-and-eat experience, where you can try their famous Bar-B-Q fried chicken. What is Bar-B-Q fried chicken you ask? You’ll have to come and try this one-of-a-kind experience to find out.
Bobbee O’s BBQ
Bob Robert’s opened Bobbee O’s BBQ back in 2008 after a long career in the food industry. His lifelong dream was to open a restaurant of his own to showcase his love for cooking and homemade sauce techniques. Located on Statesville Rd., they’re known for their mouth-watering pulled pork, but the ingredient that truly sets them apart is their sauce.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Travis Dickey established his first barbecue pit in Dallas back in 1941. Since then, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has become a well-known franchise in 42 states. Located in Hickory, just northwest of Charlotte, their slow smoke pit offers Texas-style beef brisket, pulled pork, ribs and other delicious items.
Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ
Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ began smoking pork in 1985 in an old pizza parlor in Alabama. Today there are more than 40 Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ restaurants located in seven states. The pitmasters are carefully trained to follow the family recipes, techniques and flavors of traditional Southern barbecue. They offer a variety of low-and-slow smoked meats and are well-known for their authentic pulled pork and cheese biscuits. Come discover Southern-style barbecue favorites at one of their two North Carolina locations.
Mac’s Speed Shop
Mac’s Speed Shop got its distinctive name from a man who used to work in the old transmission shop, which has now been converted to the South Boulevard location. They serve up smokey pulled pork, dry-rubbed beef brisket and other southern favorites. They even offer more than 60 beers on tap to help you wash down the savoury grub. Come try their sensational smoked bbq at their South End location.
Improper Pig
If traditional regional barbecue isn’t your thing, Improper Pig offers a wide variety of vegetarian treats. Their barbecue style is a fusion between Carolina and St. Louis style eats with an Asian flair. Come try their vegetarian portobello mushroom sandwich, at their Sandy Rock Pl. location, you won’t believe it’s not meat.
Stallings Rockstore Bar-B-Q
Back in 1936, Stallings Rockstore Bar-B-Q began as the only gas station around Stallings, but now offers some of the best barbecue in North Carolina. They smoke their meats overnight with a combination of hickory and cherry wood which creates their unique flavour. Best known for their sandwich combo, visitors get to taste a little bit of everything.
Come discover other local favorites near Empire Charlotte, with other great eats to put on your radar like these ones near Charlotte’s West End.
Images Courtesy of: Kyo H Nam (Bar-B-Q King); Ryan Liebe (Bobbee O’s BBQ); Southern Soul Barbeque ( Dickey’s Barbecue Pit); Spicy Southern Kitchen (Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ); Mac’s Speed Shop (Mac’s Speed Shop); Charbroil.com (Improper Pig); Alabama Travel (Stallings Rockstore Bar-B-Q).