These 8 North Carolina Gas Station BBQ Joints Are Easy To Miss (But Worth The Stop)
North Carolina is famous for its barbecue, but some of the best spots hide in the most unexpected places.
Tucked beside fuel pumps and convenience stores, these humble joints serve up smoky, tender pork that rivals any fancy restaurant.
If you’re cruising through the Tar Heel State and need a meal that’s worth pulling over for, these gas station BBQ stops will fill your tank and your belly with authentic Carolina flavor.
1. Grady’s Barbecue
Whole-hog barbecue doesn’t get more authentic than what you’ll find at this legendary roadside treasure in Dudley.
Located at 3096 Arrington Bridge Rd, Grady’s sits next to a rural station and has been smoking pork the old-fashioned way for decades
Eastern North Carolina style means vinegar-based sauce, crispy skin, and meat so tender it falls apart with a fork.
The setup is tiny and unassuming, but locals know this is where real pit masters work their magic.
Cash is king here, and the no-frills atmosphere only adds to the charm.
You might wait in line behind farmers and truckers who’ve been coming here since childhood.
The smoky aroma hits you before you even park your car.
Once you taste that perfectly seasoned pork with a side of coleslaw and hush puppies, you’ll understand why people drive hours just for a plate.
2. Parker’s Barbecue (Wilson Highway Location)
Pulling into Wilson on US-301 means one thing for BBQ lovers: a mandatory stop at Parker’s.
This classic joint at 2514 US-301 has become a pit-stop tradition for travelers and locals alike.
Eastern Carolina barbecue flows through the veins of this place, where tangy vinegar sauce meets perfectly smoked pork.
Generations of families have made Parker’s part of road trips, treating it like refueling for both car and stomach.
The dining room buzzes with conversation, and the sweet tea flows as freely as the compliments about the food.
Cornbread comes out warm, and the Brunswick stew is thick enough to stick to your ribs.
My uncle used to plan entire routes around stopping here, claiming no highway meal compared.
He wasn’t wrong—the banana pudding alone is worth the detour, and the portions are generous enough to share (though you probably won’t want to).
3. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Founded in Johnston County and now a beloved part of North Carolina’s highway culture, Smithfield’s at 1971 US-70 represents the marriage of convenience and quality.
What started as a local favorite has grown into a trusted name for travelers needing a quick, satisfying meal.
The menu offers both chicken and barbecue, so picky eaters and sauce enthusiasts can both find happiness.
Fried chicken is crispy and golden, while the barbecue maintains that tangy Eastern Carolina profile.
Gas-stop culture runs deep here—people fill up, grab a plate, and hit the road feeling like they’ve discovered a secret.
The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with staff who treat regulars and first-timers with equal warmth.
Hush puppies come hot and slightly sweet, perfect for soaking up extra sauce.
The location makes it ideal for families on long drives who want real food instead of fast-food chains.
4. Redneck BBQ Lab (Benson Highway Stop)
Don’t let the name fool you—this place takes barbecue seriously while keeping the vibe fun and approachable.
Located at 12101 NC-210 in Benson, Redneck BBQ Lab sits right off the road where hungry travelers and locals converge for seriously good smoked meat.
The menu experiments with flavors while respecting Carolina traditions, offering creative sides alongside classic pulled pork.
Locals treat this spot exactly like a fuel-and-food stop, making it a community gathering point.
Portions are hearty, and the prices won’t drain your wallet.
The staff brings energy and personality to every order, making you feel like part of the family rather than just another customer.
Mac and cheese comes creamy and rich, while the baked beans pack a subtle sweetness that balances the smoky meat perfectly.
Whether you’re passing through or live nearby, this highway gem delivers consistent quality that keeps people coming back mile after mile.
5. B’s Barbecue (Near Rural Crossroads)
Cash-only operations usually signal something special, and B’s Barbecue at 751 Pitt Town Rd in Greenville proves that rule spectacularly.
This legendary spot near small roadside services operates with the simplicity of a gas-station run—pull up, order, eat, and leave happy.
The menu is short because they focus on doing one thing exceptionally well: barbecue that tastes like it came from your grandpa’s backyard pit.
Vinegar sauce with a peppery kick coats tender pork that’s been smoked low and slow.
There’s no fancy seating or elaborate decor, just picnic tables and people who appreciate honest food.
Lines can stretch long during lunch, but they move quickly because everyone knows what they want.
Bring cash and an appetite—credit cards won’t work here, and neither will a small stomach.
The no-nonsense approach extends to service, where efficiency matters more than small talk, yet somehow it all feels perfectly welcoming.
6. Alston Bridges Barbecue (Roadside Classic)
Shelby’s best-kept secret sits at 620 E Grover St, Shelby, NC 28150, where Alston Bridges Barbecue has been feeding travelers and locals since the old-school days.
This roadside shack embodies everything great about North Carolina BBQ culture—simple, delicious, and unpretentious.
Western Carolina style dominates here, meaning tomato-based sauce with a touch of sweetness joins forces with perfectly smoked pork.
Travelers pulling off the road for a quick plate often end up staying longer, savoring every bite.
The atmosphere feels like stepping back in time, with worn tables and walls covered in local memorabilia.
Red slaw provides a tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the meat beautifully.
Regulars have favorite seats and usual orders, creating a rhythm that newcomers quickly pick up on.
The portions are generous, the prices fair, and the quality consistent—exactly what you want when hunger strikes on a long drive through the Carolina countryside.
7. Stephenson’s Bar-B-Q (Highway Convenience Stop)
Stephenson’s Bar-B-Q sits right along a busy stretch of US-301 at 4530 US-301, Benson, NC 27504, making it one of those places travelers stumble upon while stopping for fuel or a quick break.
From the outside, it looks like a simple roadside operation, but the smell of slow-smoked pork instantly tells you something special is happening inside.
Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue is the star here, chopped fine and dressed with a sharp vinegar sauce that clings to every bite.
The pork carries that unmistakable balance of tang, smoke, and richness that defines the region.
Trays come lined with paper, sweet tea flows freely, and hush puppies arrive hot and golden.
Locals treat Stephenson’s like a reliable checkpoint on long drives, while newcomers often leave surprised by how good a “highway stop” meal can be.
It’s the kind of place that turns a routine refueling stop into a memorable meal without any fuss or fanfare.
8. Skylight Inn BBQ (Classic Roadside Original)
Just off the road in Ayden, Skylight Inn BBQ at 4618 Lee St, Ayden, NC 28513 stands as one of the purest expressions of North Carolina roadside barbecue culture.
While it isn’t attached directly to gas pumps, it embodies the same pull-over-and-eat spirit that defines the state’s best highway food stops.
The menu is famously simple, focusing on whole-hog pork chopped with crispy skin and seasoned with a vinegar-forward sauce that Eastern North Carolina is known for.
The building itself is modest, and the experience feels timeless, as if nothing has changed in decades — because it hasn’t needed to.
Farmers, truckers, and barbecue pilgrims all line up here, eating at picnic tables and carrying out brown paper bags filled with smoky pork.
People don’t stop at Skylight Inn for convenience alone; they stop because this is the standard by which all roadside Carolina barbecue gets measured.