16 Cheap But Legendary BBQ Joints In North Carolina That Locals Always Recommend

In North Carolina, barbecue isn’t just food – it’s heritage. Generations have perfected the art of slow-smoked meat, whether it’s the tangy whole hog tradition of the east or the savory, sauce-kissed shoulders of Lexington.

The result? Some of the most iconic BBQ in the country. These 16 budget-friendly joints have built their reputations on consistency and flavor, attracting loyal locals who know exactly where to score a legendary plate without emptying their wallets.

1. Skylight Inn BBQ – Ayden

Crowned the ‘BBQ Capital of the World,’ this Ayden institution has been smoking whole hogs since 1947. The wood-fired pits give that unmistakable smoky flavor locals crave.

Your best bet? The chopped pork tray with tangy slaw and cornbread for under $10. They don’t mess around with fancy presentation – just perfect Eastern-style barbecue served on paper trays.

Bring cash, though – credit cards aren’t welcome here, and neither is dawdling when banana pudding is available.

2. Sam Jones BBQ – Winterville (Greenville area)

Sam Jones carries on his grandfather’s legendary Skylight Inn tradition but with his own modern twist. The restaurant combines old-school wood-fired cooking techniques with a contemporary dining experience.

The chopped pork plate comes with two sides and their famous sweet-potato muffin – a perfect balance of savory and sweet. While prices stay reasonable, the quality rivals upscale establishments.

I once drove two hours just for their BBQ and found myself in line with folks who’d traveled even further.

3. Wilber’s Barbecue – Goldsboro

After nearly closing forever, this Eastern NC landmark was rescued by loyal fans who couldn’t imagine life without Wilber’s perfect whole-hog barbecue. The revival kept everything authentic – especially those oak-fired pits where hogs cook slowly overnight.

The BBQ sandwich with slaw costs about what it did years ago, making it a bargain hunter’s dream. For the adventurous, try the ‘Bone Box’ – a selection of the most flavorful parts.

Wood-smoking begins around 2 p.m. daily, preparing tomorrow’s feast.

4. B’s Barbecue – Greenville

No phone, no website, and definitely no frills – just a tiny cinder-block building at the corner of B’s Barbecue Road. Yes, they named a road after this place!

The limited menu features Eastern-style chopped pork bathed in vinegar sauce alongside outstanding chicken. Locals know the drill: arrive early or miss out entirely.

My aunt once showed up at 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday, only to find the hand-painted ‘SOLD OUT’ sign already hanging. She’s never made that mistake again.

5. Lexington Barbecue – Lexington

Nicknamed ‘Honeymonk’ by locals, this temple of Lexington-style barbecue has been perfecting pork shoulders since 1962. Unlike many places that switched to gas, they remain committed to genuine wood-cooking methods.

The chopped plate delivers that perfect balance of outside brown bits and tender interior meat. Red slaw (made with barbecue sauce instead of mayo) complements the pork perfectly.

Prices stay remarkably reasonable despite their national fame and steady stream of barbecue pilgrims.

6. Stamey’s Barbecue – Greensboro

Four generations of Stameys have tended hickory fires at this Greensboro institution. The restaurant’s commitment to tradition means every shoulder gets proper smoke time – no shortcuts.

The chopped plate comes with crispy hushpuppies that locals consider the gold standard. If peach cobbler appears on the specials board, consider it mandatory ordering.

With two locations serving identical quality, you’re never far from authentic Lexington-style barbecue when in Greensboro.

7. Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge – Shelby

The Bridges family has been smoking pork over hickory since 1946, creating a barbecue destination that feels frozen in time. Red checkered tablecloths and wood-paneled walls set the nostalgic scene.

Their sliced pork tray showcases the perfect texture that only comes from proper smoking. The distinctive red slaw adds the perfect tangy counterpoint to the rich meat.

When NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. craves barbecue, this is reportedly where he heads – though he pays the same reasonable prices as everyone else.

8. Speedy’s Barbecue – Lexington

Don’t let the name fool you – nothing happens quickly at Speedy’s except how fast your plate empties. The barbecue here develops flavor through patient smoking over properly managed wood fires.

The coarse-chopped tray offers more texture than finely chopped versions, highlighting the quality of their pork shoulders. Golden-brown hushpuppies come piled high alongside.

I once watched my grandfather polish off a large tray here at age 92, declaring it ‘exactly the same’ as his first visit some 60 years earlier.

9. Parker’s Barbecue – Wilson

Seven days a week, Parker’s churns out whole-hog Eastern-style barbecue that keeps generations of families returning. The massive dining room fills with locals who know what’s good.

The large barbecue plate comes with both corn sticks and hushpuppies – a double starch situation nobody complains about. Their fried chicken rivals the pork for popularity, making combo plates a smart choice.

Despite feeding crowds since 1946, prices remain firmly in the bargain category.

10. King’s BBQ – Kinston

Family-owned since 1936, King’s perfected Eastern Carolina barbecue before most of us were born. The hand-chopped pork maintains that perfect texture – never mushy, never dry.

The full country menu extends beyond barbecue to include Southern classics that complement the star attraction. Weekend buffets feature seafood alongside traditional offerings, creating a feast that defies the modest pricing.

The restaurant’s vintage feel adds to the experience, with wood paneling and photos documenting decades of satisfied customers.

11. Backyard BBQ Pit – Durham

Hidden in a Durham strip mall, this humble joint serves Eastern-style barbecue that rivals any countryside smokehouse. The owners’ Mississippi roots influence their approach to smoking pork to tender perfection.

The chopped pork plate comes with generous portions of soul food sides that would make any grandmother proud. Daily specials rotate through Southern classics rarely seen on restaurant menus anymore.

The first time I visited, the owner noticed I was new and personally explained their smoking process while adding extra meat to my plate.

12. Hursey’s Bar-B-Q – Burlington

The Hursey family’s barbecue empire spans multiple locations, each maintaining the same commitment to quality that began in 1945. Their Lexington-leaning style satisfies cravings throughout Alamance County.

The chopped plate features perfectly smoked pork with just enough outside brown mixed in. Fresh-made hushpuppies come hot from the fryer with each order.

What started as a roadside stand has grown into a regional favorite while keeping prices remarkably affordable – proving good barbecue doesn’t require fancy surroundings.

13. Grady’s Barbecue – Dudley

Down a country road in the tiny community of Indian Springs, Steve and Gerri Grady have been smoking whole hogs over oak and hickory since 1986. Their cinderblock building houses barbecue wisdom that attracts devoted fans.

The pork plate comes with collards cooked with fatback and hand-mixed cornbread – all made from scratch daily. Every bite represents decades of perfecting traditional techniques.

When food writers visit North Carolina, Grady’s often tops their must-visit list despite its remote location.

14. White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken – Smithfield

Since 1930, White Swan has been serving Eastern-style chopped pork that locals consider the perfect representation of Johnston County barbecue. The modest building contains decades of smoke-infused wisdom.

The barbecue plate features finely chopped pork with a vinegar kick that balances the meat’s richness. Adding their legendary fried chicken creates a combo that satisfies multiple cravings at once.

During my last visit, three generations of a family at the next table were having their weekly White Swan meal – a tradition for over 40 years.

15. Barbecue Center – Lexington

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming brick exterior – this Lexington landmark has been perfecting shoulder barbecue since 1955. The pits produce that distinctive smoky flavor that defines proper Lexington-style.

The chopped barbecue plate delivers consistently excellent pork with that signature red slaw and hushpuppies. Save room for their famous banana split – a mountain of ice cream that’s become as legendary as their barbecue.

Prices remain firmly in the bargain category despite their status as barbecue royalty.

16. Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue – Raleigh

Operating since 1938, Cooper’s is one of Raleigh’s oldest restaurants still in business. They’ve moved locations but maintained their dedication to Eastern-style barbecue excellence.

The chopped pork sandwich with slaw costs about what you’d expect to pay for fast food, but delivers authentic flavor developed over generations. Their Cheerwine-brined fried chicken has developed its own following among regulars.

The walls display decades of photos showing satisfied customers from every walk of life – all united by their love of proper North Carolina barbecue.