BBQ Lovers Travel From All Over North Carolina For These 7 Lunch Plates That Sell Out By 1 PM

North Carolina takes its barbecue seriously – so seriously that locals will drive for hours just to grab a plate before it’s gone!

From smoky Eastern-style whole hog to tangy Western Lexington-style shoulders, these legendary BBQ joints have earned cult-like followings.

Folks line up early, sometimes before sunrise, knowing that once the pitmasters sell out, that’s it until tomorrow.

Let’s explore seven mouthwatering BBQ spots where you’d better arrive early or leave hungry!

1. The Humble Shack With Big Flavor: B’s Barbeque (Greenville)

Smoke signals rise before dawn from this unassuming cinderblock building where three generations of the McLawhorn family have perfected whole-hog barbecue. No phone, no website, just word-of-mouth fame that travels faster than wildfire across eastern NC.

Locals know the drill – arrive by 10 AM or risk missing out on the tender, vinegar-doused pork that makes grown men weep with joy. The secret? Overnight cooking over oak and hickory, plus a family sauce recipe guarded more carefully than Fort Knox.

Fun fact: B’s doesn’t accept credit cards and has no set hours. They simply cook until they’re sold out, sometimes by 11:30 AM during busy seasons!

2. Pig Heaven on Earth: Skylight Inn (Ayden)

Crowned with a replica Capitol dome, Skylight Inn boldly proclaims itself “The Bar-B-Q Capital of the World” – and countless barbecue pilgrims agree. Pete Jones started smoking hogs here in 1947, and the Jones family hasn’t changed a thing since.

Your reward for arriving early? Chopped whole hog with impossibly crispy skin bits mixed throughout, served on a paper tray with cornbread and slaw. No frills, no fancy sides – just pork perfection that’s earned them a James Beard America’s Classic award.

The wood pile outside tells the story: this is old-school, labor-intensive barbecue that requires hours of tending before you take your first heavenly bite.

3. Family-Style Feasting: Parker’s Barbecue (Wilson)

Yellow-shirted waiters zip between tables carrying trays loaded with family-style eastern NC barbecue at this Wilson institution. Since 1946, Parker’s has been the celebration spot where grandmas’ birthdays, business deals, and Friday lunch traditions happen over plates of finely chopped pork.

What causes the daily sellout? Their legendary fried chicken steals as many hearts as the barbecue! Order both and thank me later. The nostalgic dining room buzzes with multi-generational families sharing stories over sweet tea in those iconic red cups.

Pitmasters arrive at midnight to start cooking, which explains why the parking lot fills by 11 AM with everyone from farmers in overalls to lawyers in suits – all equal in their devotion to Parker’s perfection.

4. Smoke-Kissed Tradition: Wilber’s Barbecue (Goldsboro)

Rising like a phoenix after nearly closing forever, Wilber’s triumphant comeback story tastes as sweet as their sauce. Founded in 1962 by Wilber Shirley (who personally supervised the pits until his 80s), this roadside legend attracts military folks from nearby Seymour Johnson Air Force Base alongside barbecue fanatics.

Presidents and celebrities have made the pilgrimage, but Wilber’s treats everyone the same – you want that vinegar-pepper whole hog heaven, you better show up early. The brick pits out back produce a distinctive smoky flavor that can’t be rushed or replicated.

Order the barbecue plate with yellow rutabaga (a Wilber’s specialty) and watch pitmaster eyes light up with approval at your insider knowledge of this eastern NC treasure.

5. Soulful Smoke Magic: Backyard BBQ Pit (Durham)

Tucked away in a Durham strip mall, this soul food-meets-barbecue joint might look modest, but the flavors are mighty! Owner Melvin Simmons channels generations of family barbecue wisdom into every bite of his oak-smoked pork shoulder and fall-off-the-bone ribs.

The secret weapon? A tangy-sweet sauce that strikes perfect harmony between eastern and western NC styles. Early birds catch more than worms here – they snag the coveted burnt ends and crispy outside brown bits that disappear faster than morning dew.

Community love runs deep at this Black-owned gem where regulars are greeted by name and first-timers become instant family. Pro tip: Their smoked turkey is legendary among those in the know – order it if you’re lucky enough to arrive before the “SOLD OUT” sign appears.

6. Mountain-Style Meat Masterpiece: Buxton Hall Barbecue (Asheville)

Housed in a renovated roller skating rink, Buxton Hall brings artisanal flair to traditional whole-hog barbecue. James Beard-nominated pitmaster Elliott Moss blends time-honored techniques with Asheville’s creative spirit, smoking hogs for 18 hours over glowing embers.

The Eastern Carolina-style barbecue gets a mountain twist with sides like catfish stew and collards cooked underneath the dripping pigs (genius!). Morning arrivals are rewarded with freshly-chopped meat from a new hog, plus first dibs on their legendary banana pudding pie that vanishes faster than mountain mist.

Hipsters mingle with old-timers at communal tables, united in appreciation of barbecue that respects tradition while embracing innovation. The Instagram-worthy space features vintage signs and visible wood-fired pits where you can watch tomorrow’s meal slowly transforming.

7. The Holy Grail of ‘Cue: Lexington Barbecue (Lexington)

Nicknamed “The Honeymonk” by devoted fans, this Western-style barbecue temple has defined North Carolina’s Piedmont-style barbecue since 1962. Owner Wayne Monk’s dedication to smoking pork shoulders (never whole hog) over hickory coals creates a distinct flavor that’s spawned dozens of imitators but no equals.

The rich, red-tinged “dip” sauce with its tomato-vinegar kick perfectly complements the smokier Western-style meat. Arrive before noon to witness the spectacle of businesspeople, construction workers, and tourists forming a line that snakes through the parking lot.

When you finally reach barbecue nirvana, don’t skip the red slaw (cabbage dressed with that same magical dip) and hush puppies that could make grown men fight over the last one. Many have tried to replicate this Lexington magic, but there’s only one Honeymonk!