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Well, if you like BBQ you have a lot of options open. You'll have to decide if you like pork butt - the shoulder, typically pulled (shredded), or the whole pig - chopped up. Then you need to pick a sauce. But be careful, your sauce of choice says more about your character than which college hoops team you pull for. There's the vinegar based, tomato based, and mustard based. Oh yeah, do you like heavy smoke flavor? Hickory, or a blend of hickory and oak. Maybe just oak. If you say mesquite, when you drive down here, don't stop - just keep going 'til you reach Texas. And stay there.
What it boils down to is . . . you have to try them all to see what you like. Most places here are good. Some better than others. I haven't tried The Pit, but they have a fancy website (-1 point), serve appetizers (-1), and charge $8 for a kid's hotdog (-1). But the 'cue may be good - so give it a shot.
I like The Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham on the 55. Crappy website (+1). I also like Ole Time BBQ in Raleigh (west side, close to Cary). Crappy Website (+1), and they're good people (priceless).
The only place I wouldn't recommend is Danny's - just not to my liking. At all.
My company had our Holiday party at the Pit this past Dec. It was basically buffet style so I had the chance to try lots of different things. I found it to be very good. I had chopped pork, a chopped turkey que (much better than expected) and lots of sides. All excellent and the banana puddin' was very good as well.
I'm a huge fan of eastern-style que and always try to hit Wilbur's (Goldsboro) when I'm on the way to the coast. The Pit is certainly fancier than any que place I've ever seen, but the food didn't disappoint. Enjoy!
Bobby Flay (of Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Food Network) challenged Ed (The Pit) to a rib throwdown in March of this year. The show will air in May....so we'll have to wait until then to see who won.
The Pit has BBQ that is great, the ribs are pretty darn good, the brisket and chicken are equally as good. The price is a little high for a traditional BBQ joint, but it pays for the decor. The have a great wine list, which is not common in a BBQ joint. I rate the place high because it lets you have that nice diner out feel and still enjoy local comfort food. But to truely experience BBQ you need to find a little hole in the wall place and enjoy it the way it has always been served. Coopers BBQ in downtown Raleigh, Holy Smokes at Tryon Rd and 401 intersection, Olde Time BBQ in Cary...these are true BBQ spots. Western NC BBQ will have a tomato base sauce that is sweeter, Eastern BBQ is typically vinegar based. I'm from east coast so vinegar is my bag baby!
I haven't been there, but from what I read, it sounds like a high class version of the Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham. I might try the Pit one Sunday to see what it's like.
What it boils down to is . . . you have to try them all to see what you like. Most places here are good. Some better than others. I haven't tried The Pit, but they have a fancy website (-1 point), serve appetizers (-1), and charge $8 for a kid's hotdog (-1). But the 'cue may be good - so give it a shot.
I like The Backyard BBQ Pit in Durham on the 55. Crappy website (+1). I also like Ole Time BBQ in Raleigh (west side, close to Cary). Crappy Website (+1), and they're good people (priceless).
The only place I wouldn't recommend is Danny's - just not to my liking. At all.
Enjoy your trip.
This post is hilarious and I give it a +1. I do have to say I have never been to the pit but am interested to go, my wife and I just haven't had the chance to make it downtown for a visit but I know Ed Mitchel is a master BBQ so I expect we'll like it.
We are used to the hole in the wall Eastern style chains, I was born in and grew up in Raleigh, attended college at ECU. So of course my favorite all time is B's back in Greenville. I have found that Backyard BBQ in Durham and Ole Time are acceptable stand-ins. I think the OP would be better to start-off at a quasi eastern style BBQ joint like the pit then to make a 1.15 hour drive to Greenville for B's and likely feel disappointed.
I like Danny's, but not for their BBQ. Great family run establishment, the smoked meats are pretty good, reasonably priced, great deserts, and very quick service.
PS, Backyard in Durham gets a +2 for dirty walls with writing all over it.
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