These North Carolina BBQ Buffets Prove Vinegar Sauce Never Goes Out Of Style

North Carolina takes its barbecue seriously, especially when it comes to that tangy vinegar sauce that makes eastern-style BBQ famous.

Across the state, you’ll find buffets loaded with slow-cooked pork, hush puppies, and all the classic sides that make your mouth water.

These restaurants keep tradition alive while letting you pile your plate as high as you want, proving that good old vinegar-based sauce will always have a special place on our tables.

1. Casey’s Buffet & BBQ, Wilmington

Locals in Wilmington know where to go when hunger strikes and only a mountain of barbecue will do. Casey’s serves up authentic eastern North Carolina style with that signature vinegar punch everyone craves.

The buffet line stretches with tender pulled pork, crispy chicken, and enough sides to make your grandmother jealous. You can taste the hours of slow smoking in every bite.

Families pack this place on weekends because the price is right and nobody leaves hungry. The sauce bottles sit on every table, ready to add extra tang whenever you need it.

2. Fuller’s Old Fashion BBQ, Fayetteville

Fuller’s has been feeding Fayetteville since 1987, and they haven’t changed their recipe one bit. Whole hog cooking means every part gets used, creating a mix of textures that keeps things interesting.

Their vinegar sauce recipe comes straight from generations past, with just enough pepper to make your taste buds wake up. The buffet rotates daily specials alongside the barbecue staples that never disappoint.

Military families and longtime residents both consider this spot essential eating. You’ll find yourself going back for seconds before you’ve even finished your first plate.

3. Fuller’s Old Fashioned Bar-B-Que, Pembroke

Down in Pembroke, another Fuller’s location keeps the same commitment to quality that made the original famous. The wood smoke smell hits you before you even open the door, promising good things inside.

Buffet regulars appreciate how the meat stays moist and flavorful throughout service hours. Collard greens, mac and cheese, and Brunswick stew round out a spread that honors Carolina tradition.

Small-town charm meets serious barbecue skills here. Every visit feels like coming home to a meal someone actually cared about preparing right.

4. Ralph’s Barbecue, Weldon

Ralph’s has stood in Weldon since 1940, making it one of the oldest continuously operating barbecue joints around. Generations of families have made this a regular stop, creating memories around plates of perfectly seasoned pork.

The buffet keeps things simple but does everything exceptionally well. That vinegar sauce recipe hasn’t changed in decades because why mess with perfection?

I remember my first visit here years ago, and that tangy bite still haunts my dreams. You can feel history in every corner of this place.

5. Gardner’s Barbecue (301 Flagship), Rocky Mount

Gardner’s flagship location on Highway 301 doesn’t run its buffet every day, but when they do, folks line up early. Limited availability makes each buffet day feel like a special event worth planning around.

Eastern North Carolina style shines here with meat that pulls apart effortlessly and sauce that balances tang with heat. The sides taste homemade because they are, following recipes that have satisfied customers for years.

Call ahead to confirm buffet days so you don’t miss out on this Rocky Mount institution.

6. McCall’s BBQ & Seafood, Goldsboro

McCall’s figured out how to please both barbecue lovers and seafood fans under one roof. The buffet gives you the best of both worlds, though the vinegar-sauced pork remains the star attraction.

Goldsboro residents treat this place like their second dining room, stopping by whenever they need comfort food fast. The variety means even picky eaters find something they’ll devour.

Prices stay reasonable even as the buffet stays stocked with fresh options. You can mix barbecue and fried fish on the same plate without anyone judging your choices.

7. King’s Restaurant, Kinston

King’s only offers their buffet on select days, turning each one into a community gathering. When the buffet sign goes up, regulars know to clear their schedules and bring their appetites.

Whole hog barbecue done right takes time and skill, both of which King’s has mastered over decades. That vinegar sauce cuts through the richness perfectly, letting you eat more than you probably should.

Kinston considers this restaurant essential to its identity. The limited buffet schedule actually adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding each visit.

8. Bum’s Restaurant, Ayden

Ayden calls itself the barbecue capital of North Carolina, and Bum’s helps back up that bold claim. The restaurant packs out regularly with people who know the difference between good barbecue and great barbecue.

Their buffet stays constantly refreshed during busy hours, ensuring hot food no matter when you arrive. The vinegar sauce has just enough kick to keep things lively without overwhelming the meat’s natural flavor.

You’ll spot license plates from surrounding counties in the parking lot. Word travels fast when barbecue reaches this level of quality.

9. Chason’s Buffet, Fayetteville (Owen Dr)

Chason’s on Owen Drive runs a buffet that goes beyond just barbecue, though the vinegar-sauced pork remains the main attraction. Variety matters here, with enough options to satisfy every family member’s cravings.

The restaurant buzzes with conversation and the clatter of plates being filled and refilled. You can watch them bring out fresh trays from the kitchen, keeping everything at peak temperature.

Value seekers appreciate getting so much food for a reasonable price. Leave room for dessert because the banana pudding deserves its own visit.

10. Grady’s BBQ, Dudley

Grady’s doesn’t run their buffet every single day, making each buffet service feel extra special. Smart diners check the schedule and plan their week around when they can load up on this legendary barbecue.

The meat comes off smokers that have been seasoning themselves for years, adding layers of flavor you can’t fake. Vinegar sauce keeps everything bright and prevents that heavy feeling some barbecue can cause.

Dudley might be small, but Grady’s reputation reaches far beyond town limits. People drive considerable distances just to experience this buffet.

11. Doug Sauls’ BBQ & Seafood, Nashville

Nashville’s Doug Sauls’ serves up a buffet that respects both land and sea, though the barbecue side gets the most attention. Eastern North Carolina style means vinegar sauce flows freely, adding that signature tang to every bite.

The buffet layout makes it easy to sample everything without your plate turning into a confusing mess. Hot food stays hot, cold sides stay cold, and everything tastes like someone’s grandmother supervised the cooking.

Locals treat this spot as their reliable go-to for feeding crowds. Whether you’re celebrating or just really hungry, this buffet delivers every time.

12. Village Inn Seafood & BBQ, Lumberton

Village Inn runs its buffet on limited days, creating anticipation among Lumberton’s barbecue enthusiasts. When buffet day arrives, the parking lot fills up fast with people ready to eat their fill.

The combination of seafood and barbecue means nobody in your group has to compromise on what they’re craving. That vinegar-based sauce keeps the pork light and flavorful, perfect for going back for thirds.

Check their schedule before making the trip so you don’t show up on an off day. Trust me, I learned that lesson the hard way once.

13. Robbins Nest, Selma

Robbins Nest in Selma keeps the buffet tradition alive with food that tastes like it came from a backyard cookout. The barbecue carries that authentic eastern North Carolina flavor with vinegar sauce that doesn’t hold back.

You’ll find all the sides you expect and a few surprises that show the kitchen actually cares about variety. The atmosphere stays casual and welcoming, making first-timers feel like regulars.

Portions are generous even before you consider the buffet format. By the time you leave, you’ll already be planning your next visit and what you’ll try differently.

14. Gardner’s Barbecue (Westridge), Rocky Mount

Gardner’s second Rocky Mount location on Westridge keeps the same quality standards as the flagship while serving its own neighborhood. The limited buffet days create excitement and ensure everything stays fresh and perfectly prepared.

Eastern style barbecue shines here with meat that’s been smoked low and slow until it practically melts. That vinegar sauce recipe remains consistent across both locations, giving you exactly what you expect.

Call ahead to confirm when the buffet runs so you can plan accordingly. This place proves that good barbecue traditions deserve multiple locations.