7 North Carolina BBQ Buffets That Are Practically A Religion In These Towns
I’ve always believed that North Carolina BBQ isn’t just food, it’s a way of life, almost a spiritual experience.
Growing up in the Tar Heel State, Sunday afternoons were sacred: we’d pile into the family car and head straight to our favorite local BBQ joint, drawn by the smoky aroma and the promise of something special.
Over the years, I’ve discovered seven heavenly buffets that go beyond just feeding people, they’ve become beloved community hubs. These aren’t just restaurants; they’re places where generations gather, stories are shared, and slow-smoked pork, seasoned with love and time-honored secrets, is served with a side of tradition.
1. Casey’s Buffet BBQ & Home Cooking: Wilmington
My first bite at Casey’s transported me straight to my grandmother’s kitchen table. This family-run soul food sanctuary has been drawing devoted crowds since 2005, creating a near-religious following among locals seeking authentic Southern comfort.
The pit-smoked pork melts in your mouth while the crispy fried chicken practically demands a moment of silent appreciation.
Regulars line up early on Sundays, exchanging knowing nods as they pile plates high with collards swimming in pot likker and hush puppies that crackle with golden perfection. Casey’s banana pudding? Let’s just say I’ve witnessed grown adults nearly come to tears over that velvety, vanilla-kissed creation.
2. Ralph’s Barbecue: Weldon / Roanoke Rapids area
“Y’all save room for those hush puppies!” warns the smiling server at Ralph’s, where generations of families have been gathering weekly since before I could walk. The cafeteria-style line moves with methodical precision as regulars know exactly which dishes they’re targeting.
Popcorn shrimp piled alongside smoky pulled pork creates flavor combinations you’d never imagine working, until they dance together on your fork.
What makes Ralph’s special isn’t just the food; it’s watching Mr. Henderson, who’s been coming every Thursday for 40 years, mixing his mac and cheese with the barbecue. Folks around here don’t plan their weekends, they plan around when they’ll get their Ralph’s fix.
3. Bum’s Restaurant: Ayden / Eastern NC
The smoke from Bum’s pit house greets you before you even step inside. When I asked owner Larry Dennis about his cooking secrets, he just winked and said, “Time and patience, honey: something most folks don’t have enough of these days.”
This Eastern NC shrine to whole-hog barbecue serves up plates that cost less than a fancy coffee but deliver more satisfaction than a five-star meal. The cafeteria line moves with the rhythm of a well-rehearsed dance as locals fill their trays with vinegar-kissed pork, yellow slaw, and field peas picked that morning.
Farmers still come in with dirt on their boots, treating lunch at Bum’s like a daily communion of flavors that haven’t changed in decades.
4. Skylight Inn BBQ: Ayden
The first time I visited Skylight Inn, I nearly drove past the unassuming building crowned with its iconic dome. “That’s the Capitol of BBQ,” my local friend announced proudly. One bite explained everything about the lines stretching out the door.
Though primarily counter-service, their special event spreads transform into something approaching religious experience. The chopped whole hog: crackling bits mixed with tender meat and dressed with that signature vinegar pepper sauce: sits alongside cornbread that’s dense enough to remind you it means business.
James Beard Foundation called it an “American Classic,” but locals just call it Thursday dinner. The stripped-down, no-frills approach proves that when something’s perfect, you don’t need fancy trimmings.
5. Lexington’s BBQ Heaven: Barbecue Capital of NC
“Which Lexington joint is best?” might start a friendly argument that lasts generations in this BBQ-obsessed town. My uncle still won’t speak to his neighbor after a heated debate about Lexington Barbecue versus Bar-B-Q Center.
While not traditional buffets, these restaurants serve tray-style meals that offer buffet-like variety. The signature Lexington-style chopped pork shoulder comes bathed in a tomato-tinged dip that locals defend with patriotic fervor.
Red slaw (never mayo-based!) adds tang while warm hush puppies provide the perfect vehicle for sopping up every last drop. TarHeel Q, Jimmy’s, and Speedy Lohr’s round out the holy pilgrimage route that locals traverse weekly, treating each visit like a sacred tradition.
6. Low & Slow Smokehouse: Smithfield area
The scent of hickory smoke hangs in the air around Low & Slow like a sweet fog. “Been smoking since 3 AM,” the pitmaster told me with eyes red from tending the fire all night: a labor of love that explains why this place has become hallowed ground for Eastern-style BBQ devotees.
Families gather here after church, grandparents pointing out to little ones how the meat should properly glisten with that signature vinegar sauce.
The buffet-style spread features collards cooked with ham hocks, butter beans simmered to perfection, and corn pudding that causes spontaneous sighs of happiness. What strikes me most is watching three generations of a family sharing stories over identical plates of pork: tradition served alongside every meal.
7. Dunn’s Legendary KFC Buffet: Dunn, NC
“You drove two hours for KFC?” my friend asked incredulously. But this isn’t just any KFC, it’s one of America’s last surviving Kentucky Fried Chicken buffets, and locals treat it with the reverence usually reserved for family heirlooms.
Sunday after church, the parking lot fills with cars sporting bumper stickers from local churches. Inside, the self-serve buffet features golden fried chicken alongside unexpected treasures like chicken gizzards, fried okra, and collards that would make any Southern grandmother nod approvingly.
What fascinates me most is watching the ritual: families who’ve been coming for decades, filling their plates in the exact same order, sitting at their unofficial assigned tables. It’s not traditional BBQ, but it fulfills the same community communion function.