{"id":104032,"date":"2025-02-22T20:54:45","date_gmt":"2025-02-22T20:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/barbecue\/carolina-bbq-two-states-so-much-good-barbecue\/"},"modified":"2025-02-22T20:54:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T20:54:45","slug":"carolina-bbq-two-states-so-much-good-barbecue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=104032","title":{"rendered":"Carolina BBQ: Two States, So Much Good Barbecue"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Skylight Inn remains one of the most iconic classic North Carolina barbecue joints. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

While the Carolinas are often talked about generally as one of the country\u2019s barbecue regions, it\u2019s easy to forget that it encompasses two entire states. Both North Carolina and South Carolina have their own preferences and when you look even closer, you find regional divisions and rivalries. The Carolinas have a long, rich history in barbecue that stretches back hundreds of years, and that has helped enshrine it in the American landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

When people refer to \u201cCarolina BBQ\u201d outside of the Carolinas, they are often referring to vinegar-based sauce applied liberally to smoked whole hog, chopped pork, or pulled pork. This makes sense because if you stop in a classic rural joint in either North or South Carolina, you will order a \u201cBBQ plate\u201d and be served pork. This is because pork is king and other popular types of barbecue (ahem, Texas brisket) are looked at as only recent additions to menus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But this all gets more complicated as you dig deeper. There are actually three main styles of barbecue you\u2019ll find throughout the Carolinas. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll find.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eastern North Carolina Style<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

One of the Eastern-style whole hog joints worth stopping at is Grady\u2019s Barbecue in Dudley. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Eastern North Carolina style is all about whole hog and using every part of the hog to make a meal. Hogs are typically cooked for 16 to 18 hours over hickory and oak wood in concrete pits. Once finished smoking, the whole is chopped up and paired with a vinegar-based sauce that is heavy on pepper and has no added sugar. Some of the most notable joints that have been serving Eastern-style whole hog for generations include B\u2019s Barbecue, Grady\u2019s Barbecue, Parker\u2019s Barbecue, Skylight Inn, and Wilber\u2019s Barbecue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Piedmont (or Lexington) Style<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

The delicious chopped pork shoulder and sides at Stamey\u2019s Barbecue in Greensboro. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Gaining popularity in the early 20th Century, North Carolina\u2019s Piedmont style (sometimes called Lexington style) focuses on smoked pork shoulder instead of whole hog. The pork here is also topped with a vinegar-and-tomato-based sauce that is typically sweeter and spicier than the no-frills Eastern-style sauce. You\u2019ll also commonly find hush puppies (deep fried cornmeal) and red slaw (coleslaw mixed with barbecue sauce with no mayo or mustard) on the menu. Some popular options for Piedmont style include Barbecue Center of Lexington, Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge, Lexington Barbecue, and Stamey\u2019s Barbecue.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Carolina (or Midlands) Style\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Some South Carolina-style joints like Bessinger\u2019s continue to embrace mustard-based barbecue sauce. (Photo via Bessinger\u2019s Barbecue \/ Facebook)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Down in South Carolina, things are a little more diverse with parts of the state embracing Eastern-NC style whole hog while others go for a totally different approach. (One small section even goes for pork with ketchup-based sauce.) The popular South Carolina Midlands style emphasizes smoked pork that is cooked over hickory and oak and then topped with a mustard-based sauce. Most of the joints that still serve Midlands style are old-school restaurants, and they include Bessinger\u2019s BBQ, Hite\u2019s Bar-B-Que, Maurice\u2019s Piggie Park, and Sweatman\u2019s Barbeque.<\/span><\/p>\n

Must-Try Barbecue Joints in North Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Buxton Hall has a wide variety of items on the menu but is best known for whole hog. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Buxton Hall<\/b><\/p>\n

32 Banks Ave<\/span><\/p>\n

Asheville, NC 28801<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/buxtonhall.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt Buxton Hall is one of the hippest barbecue joints in the Carolinas. But don\u2019t let the \u201ccool\u201d scare you away, and grab a delicious platter with chopped whole hog, hash, slaw, and a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

The interior inside Grady\u2019s Bar-B-Q transports you back in time. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Grady\u2019s Bar-B-Q<\/b><\/p>\n

3096 Arrington Bridge Rd<\/span><\/p>\n

Dudley, NC 28333<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gradysbbqnc\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you didn\u2019t know to stop, Grady\u2019s BBQ would look like an incredibly old-school joint in the middle of nowhere. But you must stop in because Grady\u2019s serves some of the best whole hog in the state and has incredible hospitality to go with it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jon G\u2019s Barbecue<\/b><\/p>\n

116 Glenn Falls St<\/span><\/p>\n

Peachland, NC 28133<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.jongsbarbecue.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As one of the newest and most-hyped joints in North Carolina, Jon G\u2019s has a reputation. But it earns it with crazy-good brisket, ribs, and house-made sausages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Lexington Barbecue has been served outstanding pork shoulder for decades. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Lexington Barbecue<\/b><\/p>\n

100 Smokehouse Ln<\/span><\/p>\n

Lexington, NC 27295<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.lexbbq.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Opened in 1962, Lexington Barbecue has attracted legions of fans with its pork shoulders cooked over hickory and oak coals. Grab sides of slaw and hush puppies, then wash it down with a fountain Cheerwine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge<\/b><\/p>\n

2000 E Dixon Blvd<\/span><\/p>\n

Shelby, NC 28150<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.bridgesbbq.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dating back to the 1950s, Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge is one of the most historic joints that still draws big crowds today. Try the chopped pork BBQ plate, red slaw, and the hush puppies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skylight Inn<\/b><\/p>\n

4618 Lee St<\/span><\/p>\n

Ayden, NC 28513<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.skylightinnbbq.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most famous whole joints in America is Skylight Inn, which serves up fantastic chopped whole hog, baked beans, and pineapple cake. Notably, up the road is Sam Jones BBQ, which shares the same DNA as Skylight Inn but offers a more modern, diverse menu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Essential Barbecue Joints in South Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Bobby\u2019s BBQ in Fountain Inn serves a little bit of everything in barbecue, and it\u2019s all good. (Photo by Bobby\u2019s BBQ \/ Facebook)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Bobby\u2019s BBQ<\/b><\/p>\n

1301 N Main St<\/span><\/p>\n

Fountain Inn, SC 29644<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/eatbobbys.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bobby\u2019s has attracted a lot of attention for its diverse menu (BBQ jackfruit or tacos anyone?) while still nailing all the classics from multiple regions. Try the brisket, beef ribs, potato casserole, and corn pudding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Henry\u2019s Smokehouse<\/b><\/p>\n

240 Wade Hampton Blvd<\/span><\/p>\n

Greenville, SC 29609<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.henryssmokehouse.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Henry\u2019s is a small old-school joint where you may end up eating a table outside (and that\u2019s part of the fun). Grab a chopped pork or hash sandwich with mustard sauce, sweet potato casserole, banana pudding, and baked beans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hite’s Bar-B-Que<\/b><\/p>\n

240 Dreher Rd<\/span><\/p>\n

West Columbia, SC 29169<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.hitesbbq.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Hite\u2019s might be a lesser-known joint among flashier SC ones, it\u2019s one of the few still serving tasty mustard-based sauce on top of tender, wood-smoked pork. Be sure to try the hash and coleslaw as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Lewis Barbecue might be a Texas joint in the Carolinas but it\u2019s so good you won\u2019t care where it\u2019s located. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Lewis Barbecue<\/b><\/p>\n

464 N Nassau St<\/span><\/p>\n

Charleston, SC 29403<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.lewisbarbecue.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pitmaster\/owner John Lewis brought some serious Central Texas-style barbecue with him from Austin when he opened up Lewis Barbecue in SC. The menu is much more Texas than Carolina, but it\u2019s so good that you won\u2019t care what state you\u2019re in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

Rodney Scott prepares outstanding whole hog at his Charleston restaurant. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Rodney Scott\u2019s BBQ<\/b><\/p>\n

1011 King St<\/span><\/p>\n

Charleston, SC 29403<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/rodneyscottsbbq.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pitmaster Rodney Scott has taken the barbecue world by storm during the past few years, and you\u2019ll see why at his joint in Charleston. The whole hog, spare ribs, smoked wings, collard greens, and banana pudding may provide a life-changing experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scott\u2019s Bar-B-Que<\/b><\/p>\n

2734 Hemingway Hwy #5420<\/span><\/p>\n

Hemingway, SC 29554<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/The-SCOTTS-BAR-B-QUE-in-Hemingway-SC-353542280214\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since 1972, the Scott family has been cooking whole hogs that have attracted acclaim from around the country. Mopped with a spicy vinegar-and-pepper sauce, this whole hog cooked over wood remains a national treasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Swig and Swine<\/b><\/p>\n

Multiple Locations – SC<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/swigandswinebbq.com\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Swig and Swine provides a modern barbecue experience that blends some Carolina barbecue traditions while adding in great brisket, bourbon, and cocktails.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n