BBQ Places in Charlotte (preferably NC style) (Hickory, Lexington: university, prices)

[NCgirl]

Originally Posted by Chromekitty

Kyle Fletcher's BBQ in Lowell (on 74 right 'tween belmont and gastonia)

Also Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks in Lowell. Take the McAdenville exit (85 south, #23) and turn right at the light. It can be very smoky in there so if that bothers you call ahead and take your order to go.

They also have a Gastonia location and the website says there is a Charlotte location on Tyvola.

[Collective]

Mac's always delivers. Best pulled pork BBQ ever.

[Metallisteve]

Yes, I still maintain that Mac's has the best beef rib I've ever had. Now if they could only move to a better location with enough parking and seating to accommodate their clientele...but I guess it's part of the experience to have to park somewhere that you wonder if your car will either be towed or broken into while you dine...

[Nativechief]

Macs pulled pork is good but the rack of ribs I got for 19.95 were tuff with little meat.

[NCgirl]

Originally Posted by Metallisteve

Yes, I still maintain that Mac's has the best beef rib I've ever had. Now if they could only move to a better location with enough parking and seating to accommodate their clientele...but I guess it's part of the experience to have to park somewhere that you wonder if your car will either be towed or broken into while you dine...

The Steele Creek location seems to have good parking. I've only had a sandwich there but IMO Mac's BBQ is just okay.

[uber_bwnage]

BEST BY FAR:

Pulled Pork - Rock House BBQ in Stallings
Ribs and Fixins - KyleFletchers in Gastonia.

Don't waste your time anywhere else...trust me.

[heartsN Charlotte]

Originally Posted by uber_bwnage

BEST BY FAR:

Pulled Pork - Rock House BBQ in Stallings
Ribs and Fixins - KyleFletchers in Gastonia.

Don't waste your time anywhere else...trust me.

I made a thread a while back about the opening of the Rock House BBQ's new store in Mint Hill as it was the only one I knew of. The first time we got ribs which were great. Since we have been back for the pulled pork and pulled chicken, also great.

[Chromekitty]

Originally Posted by NCgirl

Also Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks in Lowell. Take the McAdenville exit (85 south, #23) and turn right at the light. It can be very smoky in there so if that bothers you call ahead and take your order to go.

They also have a Gastonia location and the website says there is a Charlotte location on Tyvola.

their chicken is actually better than the BBQ...but they can't touch Fletcher's...

[Gumbo]

Its important to note that there are 3 different major types of NC BBQ. Western Style (ketchup based), Lexington style (Ketchup/Vinegar based...kind of a hybrid), and Eastern Style (Vinegar based). I'm assuming based on the places you listed, you are looking for Eastern Style.

I throw a couple of pork shoulders on my Weber Smokey Mountain every other month or so and smoke my own. I make a homemade Eastern sauce and a homemade SC mustard based sauce.

There are places in Charlotte (just over the SC border on Johnston Rd in the parking lot of the liquor store...name escapes me) where people sell whole smoked pork shoulders. I'd recommend buying one of these and making your own sauce (all it is is vinegar, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and salt/pepper). I'd recommend buying a whole shoulder, taking it home, pull it by hand, and add your own sauce to it.

[nchiker]

Its important to note that there are 3 different major types of NC BBQ. Western Style (ketchup based), Lexington style (Ketchup/Vinegar based...kind of a hybrid), and Eastern Style (Vinegar based). I'm assuming based on the places you listed, you are looking for Eastern Style.

Actually, I'm not necessarily looking for Eastern style. I'm very familiar with the styles of NC barbecue. I'm mainly looking for places around Charlotte that serve more traditional nc barbecue so that a drive out of town would not be necessary.

I've cooked boston butts on my smoker and made my own sauce (Lexington, Eastern, and mustard -- I don't like the thicker, sweeter, ketchup-based sauce), but just wanted to see what the restaurant options are around were.