8 North Carolina Small-Town BBQ Buffets That Locals Say Still Feel Like Home
North Carolina’s small towns hold treasures beyond their peaceful streets and friendly faces – they’re home to some of the most authentic BBQ buffets you’ll ever taste.
These beloved eateries serve up heaping portions of slow-cooked pork, crispy fried chicken, and homestyle sides that transport locals back to Sunday family dinners.
From the coastal plains to the foothills, these 8 buffets keep traditional Carolina barbecue alive while making every visitor feel like they’ve come home.
1. Ralph’s Barbecue – A Weldon Institution Since 1941
Smoke signals have been rising from Ralph’s brick pits for over 80 years, drawing hungry folks from miles around.
The chopped pork practically melts in your mouth, while the fried chicken achieves that perfect crispy-juicy balance grandmas everywhere strive for.
The banana pudding alone merits the drive – velvety, not-too-sweet, with those classic vanilla wafers softened just right.
Regulars know to wear their comfortable pants and arrive with an empty stomach.
2. McCall’s – Goldsboro’s Military-Friendly Feast
Family recipes have been the backbone of McCall’s since 1989, where the buffet spreads across multiple stations loaded with pit-cooked pork, golden fried seafood, and freshly-made sides.
The spacious dining room buzzes with conversation – military families, local workers, and road-trippers all breaking bread together.
Something magical happens when you taste their Eastern-style vinegar sauce. It’s tangy perfection that cuts through the rich pork fat in a dance as old as Carolina itself.
3. King’s Restaurant – Kinston’s Multi-Generation Tradition
My grandpa first took me to King’s when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. He’d pile my plate with chopped BBQ, telling me, “This is how pork’s supposed to taste.” Thirty years later, I’m still getting the same plate, and he was absolutely right.
The daily buffet offers a parade of Eastern Carolina classics – vinegar-kissed pork, crackling fried chicken, and sides that would make any Southern grandmother proud.
The restaurant’s simple interior hasn’t changed much either, and that’s precisely why locals keep coming back.
4. Gardner’s Barbecue – Rocky Mount’s Sunday Dinner Destination
Stepping into Gardner’s feels like walking into a community reunion. Families in their Sunday best fill the tables after church, while farmers in work clothes slide in for a hearty lunch.
The Brunswick stew bubbles thick and rich, a perfect companion to the tangy chopped pork. My aunt Martha swears their cabbage is better than hers, though she’d never admit it publicly.
The dessert section tempts even the fullest bellies – banana pudding, cobblers, and those little squares of sheet cake with icing that takes you straight back to childhood birthdays.
5. Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ – Pembroke’s Daily Comfort
Fuller’s doesn’t just serve food – it dishes up community spirit with every plate. The buffet stretches long and abundant, featuring pit-cooked pork with that perfect smoke ring, crispy fried chicken, and seafood that tastes like it just jumped from the coast.
Local teachers, tribal members from the Lumbee community, and travelers passing through I-95 all rub elbows here.
The salad bar offers fresh relief from the rich mains, while the dessert section ensures nobody leaves without something sweet to cap off the meal.
6. Sims Country Bar-B-Que – Granite Falls’ Weekend Barn Bash
Friday and Saturday nights at Sims transform dining into a full-blown Carolina experience.
Housed in a rustic barn that could tell a thousand stories, the all-you-can-eat spread features pork so tender it barely needs chewing. Live bluegrass music fills the air while cloggers stomp across the wooden floor between buffet runs.
I once saw an 80-year-old gentleman put away three full plates before joining the dance floor. The dessert table groans under the weight of cobblers, pies, and banana pudding – each seemingly competing for the title of “most likely to make you unbutton your pants.”
7. Low and Slow Smokehouse – Smithfield’s Airport Adjacent Gem
Watching small planes take off and land adds unexpected entertainment to the stellar buffet experience at this Johnston Regional Airport fixture.
The weekday lunch spread attracts an eclectic mix – pilots making a fuel stop, airport workers, and in-the-know locals who appreciate properly smoked meat.
The brisket add-ons elevate this buffet beyond typical Eastern Carolina fare. Tender, peppery beef alongside traditional pork creates a cross-regional harmony that barbecue purists might debate but everyone enjoys.
The salad bar provides token greens before you inevitably return for seconds.
8. Carolina Smoke Barbeque Grill & Copper Still – Morganton’s Special Night Out
Unlike typical all-day buffets, Carolina Smoke turns their spread into an event. Check their schedule before arriving – when the buffet’s running, locals flock for small-batch barbecue that never sits too long before being replaced with fresh trays.
The copper still isn’t just for show – house cocktails complement the smoky pork and ribs. On seafood nights, crab legs appear alongside traditional barbecue for a surf-and-turf experience that feels surprisingly upscale for a buffet setting.
The mountain foothills location adds rustic charm to what locals consider “special occasion” dining without breaking the bank.