In case you don’t know what food is Raleigh known for, North Carolina is a big BBQ state and it’s so good here you can spell it four ways – Barbecue, Barbeque, Bar-b-que and BBQ.
No matter how you spell it, enjoying a plate of barbecue in Raleigh is one of those “welcome to the South” moments all meat eaters should experience and one of the top things to do in Raleigh.
The Pit Authentic BBQ is without doubt one of the most popular BBQ Spots in Raleigh. As their name suggests, they proudly serve authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked Eastern-style barbecue, accompanied with all the traditional Southern sides you can take.
One of the best hidden gems in Raleigh and one of those classic hole-in-the-wall roadside BBQ joints is Olde Time BBQ. This was our first barbecue experience in North Carolina when we first relocated to Raleigh back in 2004.
Their food is the main reason it’s one of the longest-running barbecue joints in North Carolina and it’s hard to go past a plate of their chopped barbecue and fried chicken, accompanied with collards or their famous Brunswick stew.
The famous Sam Jones BBQ recently opened in Raleigh in early 2021 and if you’re from North Carolina and know your barbecue, you’re probably well aware that Sam Jones out of Winterville, NC has some of the best BBQ in North Carolina.