The North Carolina BBQ Spot That Turns Brussels Sprouts Into A Star Dish
Barbecue joints usually keep things simple: meat, sauce, slaw. But Lawrence Barbecue in downtown Cary decided to shake up the playbook by turning a vegetable most people avoid into their most buzzed-about dish.
Their Fancy Boi Brussels Sprouts have become the unexpected hero of every tray, earning cult status alongside the brisket and pulled pork.
I first heard about these sprouts from a friend who swore they’d convert even the most stubborn veggie skeptic, so I had to see what all the fuss was about.
I was in many spots in North Carolina, trying numerous things, but this one truly amazed me.
Meet Lawrence Barbecue In Downtown Cary
Smoke rolls across Cedar Street as trays of brisket meet a crowd that packs the new brick-and-mortar at 150 E. Cedar St., Cary.
Doors opened September 19, 2025, and the team describes their food as BBQ with good vibes that refuses to follow strict tradition.
Guests stream through the entrance, drawn by the scent of oak and hickory mingling with chatter and laughter. The space pulses with energy, blending counter-service ease with a dining-room warmth that invites you to settle in.
I walked in on a Saturday afternoon and immediately felt the buzz of a neighborhood spot that had already claimed its place.
Every table seemed occupied, every face looked happy, and every plate looked like a masterpiece.
The Side That Steals The Show: Fancy Boi Brussels Sprouts
Fried sprouts hit the pass glossy with Crystal cane syrup, then get cotija, onion, cilantro, and Tajín for a tangy snap. Locals order a bowl for the table, then guard the last bites like treasure.
Crunch meets sweetness in the first forkful, and the citrus-chile seasoning wakes up your taste buds in ways you never expected from a cruciferous vegetable. Cotija adds a salty counterpoint that keeps the syrup from overwhelming the dish.
I watched a couple argue over the final sprout on their shared plate, and honestly, I understood the passion. These little green gems have earned their spot as the menu’s breakout star for a reason.
Why Those Sprouts Taste So Addictive
Sweet heat clings to charred leaves, salty cheese balances the syrup, citrus-chile seasoning wakes up every forkful. That high-contrast bite keeps conversations short and plates clean.
Layers of flavor stack in a way that makes your brain light up with each taste. The char adds a smoky backbone, the syrup brings caramel notes, and the Tajín delivers a zesty kick that ties everything together.
My dining partner, who normally skips vegetables altogether, devoured half the bowl before I could grab my fork.
The magic lies in how each element plays off the others, creating a flavor rollercoaster that never lets up.
Brisket Worth The Drive
Pits burn a mix of oak and hickory for slices that wear a peppery bark and a rosy ring. Cary’s new setup added a Texas-built smoker capable of cooking up to 66 briskets at once, a capacity you can taste on busy weekends.
Tender meat pulls apart with the gentlest tug, releasing a smoky perfume that fills the air around your table. The bark offers a crunchy contrast to the melt-in-your-mouth interior, and that pink smoke ring proves hours of patient smoking.
I ordered a half-pound and savored every bite, pairing it with the sprouts for a combination that felt both classic and wildly creative at the same time.
What Regulars Order First
Start with brisket or pulled pork, then add house favorites like Voodoo mac and those sprouts to round out the tray. The menu reads Southern comfort with creative detours, which is exactly the point here.
Regulars know the rhythm: pick your protein, then build around it with sides that surprise and satisfy. The Voodoo mac brings creamy richness, while the sprouts offer a bright, tangy counterbalance that keeps your palate engaged.
I followed this formula on my visit and ended up with a tray that looked like a barbecue greatest-hits album.
Each item complemented the others without competing, creating a meal that felt both indulgent and thoughtfully composed.
Oysters, Bevs, And A Room Built For Hanging Out
Cary’s space folds in a raw-bar station, a full bar, and an indoor-outdoor flow that turns a barbecue run into a night out. Groups linger over trays, drinks, and second rounds of sprouts.
The raw-bar addition surprises first-timers who expect only smoked meats, but the oysters pair beautifully with the smoky flavors drifting from the kitchen.
The bar area hums with conversation, and the patio doors blur the line between inside and outside dining.
I grabbed a seat near the open doors and watched the sunset while finishing my meal, feeling like I’d stumbled into a neighborhood hangout that just happened to serve world-class barbecue.
From Shipping Containers To A Big-Hearted Dining Room
Fans first lined up at Boxyard RTP in Durham, then followed the crew to Cary after a lively send-off on August 9, 2025. The move traded a cabana window for a full kitchen without losing the laid-back voice of the brand.
The shipping-container roots gave Lawrence a scrappy, approachable identity that carried over to the new location.
Regulars remember the Durham days fondly, but the Cary expansion brought more seating, more equipment, and more opportunities to perfect the menu.
I never visited the original spot, but longtime fans told me the vibe remains intact even in the bigger space, which speaks volumes about the team’s commitment to their roots.
Plan Your Visit
Count on open, order-at-the-counter energy with regular hours Wednesday through Sunday and online ordering that shows the current menu, including the sprouts. Check the site or social channels for day-of details before you roll.
The counter-service format keeps things moving quickly, but the dining room invites you to stay as long as you like once you grab your tray.
Online ordering lets you skip the line if you’re in a rush, though I recommend dining in to soak up the atmosphere.
I checked their social media before my visit and found updated hours plus a few menu specials that weren’t listed online, so a quick scroll can save you from disappointment.