Best BBQ joint (Charlotte, Concord, Monroe: university, live in, food)

[robster]

Best is Bridges BBQ in Shelby!!
then Kyle Fletchers in Lowell,NC.

BBQ in Charlotte is BAD!! Really Bad!!

Cheers,
Robert

[vindaloo]

Originally Posted by Nurse Ann

The absolute best SOUTHERN -style bar-b-que is Lexington Bar-b-que in Lexington, NC

Lexington does have that reputation.

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by vindaloo

Lexington does have that reputation.

A tip for people who do not buy Lexington BBQ on a regular basis and want to take some home

You can place a order for
a quart of BBQ (slice or chop)
a quart of BBQ slaw or cole slaw
a pint of dip
a dozen of buns
Feeds about 6 (2 sandwiches each)
For a low price around 13 bucks

[Jennifer823]

Can you guys tell me the difference between eastern, western and SC barbecue? My husband has a hickory wood smoker and does pork shoulder picnic roasts with a vinegar mop, but then we smother it with a regular "barbecue sauce" dip (sweet, tomato based) after we pull it. Since we aren't "real southerners" (we're in Florida!) what kind of BBQ would this be?

[SunnyKayak]

Eastern barbecue
the whole pig including butt and loins. It is split right down the middle. The sauce is very tangy, because it contains mostly vinegar and spices and is served with white cole slaw.
3 cups apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup red pepper flakes
1/4 cup ground black pepper
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup ketchup
2 T dark brown sugar

Lexington (aka western) barbecue
Uses only pork shoulders. The sauce is similar to the Eastern sauce, but contains also a little ketchup or tomato, and a touch of sugar or molasses. Served with BBQ slaw or red slaw (ketchup base)
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon sugar or molasses

Combine all ingredients plus 1/2 cup water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Cool and serve on cooked meat. *Note: This is a runny sauce that will not be very thick.

SC barbecue
Generally use the whole pig. Served with Yellow slaw (mustard base)
4 cups yellow mustard (two 20-ounce bottles of French's mustard should do the trick)
8 ounces of beer (less for thicker sauce, more for thinner sauce)
½ cup apple cider vinegar
8 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup tomato puree
2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon cayenne
1 Tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

For correct taste it should be slow cook over hickory wood chips not gas or electric cooker.
There is mild variations of items added to each sauce

[mhetfiel]

I am sitting here eating my nasty lunch at work pratically drooling...I CANNOT wait to get down there!!

[SunnyKayak]

Originally Posted by mhetfiel

I am sitting here eating my nasty lunch at work pratically drooling...I CANNOT wait to get down there!!

I need to avoid your thread during eating hours ... urgh hehe

I am heading to Lexington tomorrow for some errands time to pick up a order.

[mhetfiel]

Would it be out of the way to swing by Lexington for some BBQ before heading to the zoo in Asheboro? We would be coming from Matthews/Indian Trail. We would like to compare the eastern and western BBQ's.

[nc2sc778]

If you are ever in the Lincolnton/Boger City area, stop by BBQ King-not to be confused with the BBQ King in Charlotte (two totally different places) They are one of the Best BBQ places I have ever been to. Does not really follow eastern or western NC standards on the sauce- it is definitely unique!

In Charlotte, if you can catch RED's BBQ it is good too. They are a mobile BBQ shop which is parked at different places every day. RON's BBQ is another mobile BBQ that is OK but the meat tends to have alot of fat mixed in it.

Also, if you are ever in Maggie Valley, NC- "Butts on the Creek" is a must have!

[mhetfiel]

Well our schedule got a little hectic so we didn't have much time to travel, but we did end up going to Elliott's in Matthews, it was recommended to us and it was excellent! Probably the best we ever had!