This North Carolina Restaurant’s So Popular, Standing in Line Is Part Of The Experience
At Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, waiting in line feels like part of the adventure. The air is filled with the smoky aroma of slow-cooked meats, teasing your taste buds before you even step inside.
Locals and visitors chat, laugh, and anticipate the first bite of barbecue that has earned a devoted following.
Every plate delivers rich, smoky flavors that make the wait worthwhile, proving why this beloved spot has become a true North Carolina tradition.
A Teenager’s Dream Became a Barbecue Empire
Pete Jones was just 17 years old when he fired up his first whole hog in 1947, turning his backyard passion into what would become a North Carolina treasure.
Most teenagers were worried about homework and sock hops, but Pete was already mastering the art of slow-cooked pork over wood.
His commitment to cooking whole hogs from the very beginning set the standard that Skylight Inn still follows today.
That bold teenage decision created a legacy spanning over seven decades and three generations of the Jones family.
James Beard Foundation Gave Them the Ultimate Nod
Winning a James Beard award is like getting knighted in the food world, and Skylight Inn earned that honor in 2003 with the “America’s Classics” distinction.
This wasn’t some participation trophy either, it recognized restaurants serving quality food that reflects the character of their community.
For a small-town barbecue joint to snag such prestigious recognition proves that simple, authentic cooking beats fancy trends every time.
The award sits proudly inside, reminding everyone that greatness doesn’t need tablecloths or reservations.
Southern Living Crowned Them North Carolina’s Best
Southern Living magazine doesn’t mess around when it comes to barbecue rankings, and their 2025 list placed Skylight Inn at a jaw-dropping No. 6 among the top 50 joints across the entire South.
Even more impressive? They claimed the number one spot in all of North Carolina, the state practically built on barbecue bragging rights.
Beating out hundreds of competitors in a region obsessed with smoked meat is no small feat. This ranking confirms what locals have known forever: Skylight Inn is the real deal.
Whole Hog Cooked Low and Slow Over Oak Fire
Forget gas grills and electric smokers; Skylight Inn does things the old-school way with whole hogs cooked low and slow over oak-fired brick pits.
This method takes serious time, patience, and skill, but the payoff is pork so tender and flavorful it practically melts on your tongue.
Oak wood gives the meat a distinctive smoky sweetness that can’t be replicated with shortcuts. Watching the pitmaster tend those fires is like witnessing edible art in progress, one log at a time.
The Jones Family Tray Is Simple Perfection
Sometimes the best meals are the simplest, and the Jones Family Tray proves it with just three components: chopped pork, tangy slaw, and a slice of two-ingredient cornbread.
No fancy sides, no complicated sauces, just pure barbecue bliss that’s been perfected over 75 years.
That cornbread, made with only cornmeal and water, is crispy on the edges and crumbly in the middle, the perfect vehicle for soaking up pork juices.
One bite of this tray and you’ll understand why people drive hours just to stand in line.
Crispy Pork Skin Gets Chopped Right Into the Meat
Here’s where Skylight Inn separates itself from the pack: they chop crispy bits of pork skin directly into the meat, adding texture and flavor that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Most places toss the skin aside, but not here; waste not, want not is the motto.
Those crunchy morsels provide the perfect contrast to the tender pork, creating a bite that’s both rich and satisfying.
It’s a traditional touch that shows respect for the whole animal and maximizes every ounce of flavor.
That Dome on the Roof Isn’t Just for Show
You can’t miss Skylight Inn because there’s a miniature U.S. Capitol dome sitting right on top of the roof, added in 1984 after the restaurant earned the title “Bar-B-Q Capital of the World.”
It’s quirky, bold, and totally unapologetic, just like the barbecue itself. That dome isn’t arrogance; it’s a celebration of pride in their craft and community.
Driving down the highway, spotting that golden dome means you’re about to experience something truly special, a barbecue pilgrimage worth every minute in line.