The 3 Popular Must-Taste BBQ Spots in Raleigh, NC

Although it is great to go out for sushi, Indian curry, or a nouvelle cuisine experience, nothing really beats traditional, smokey barbecue. If you feel like enjoying some home-style comfort food, here are a few places to check out in Raleigh.

1. Clyde Coopers Barbecue

Clyde Coopers has been selling Eastern Carolina-style barbecue since 1938. They slow cook only the best quality pork shoulders, and serve it either chopped, coarse, or sliced. They also offer tender beef brisket, dipped in Clyde’s famous au jus sauce, and arguably the best fried chicken in the triangle. On the menu is Chopped BBQ or BBQ Baby Back Ribs served with two choices of veg and hush puppies. Or opt for a Sandwich Special, with chopped barbecue or chicken, fries, and tea or lemonade.

Vegetable choices include fried okra, Cheerwine baked beans, mac ‘n cheese, yams, and steamed cabbage. Clyde Coopers will also cater for your next party, wedding, or corporate function. This barbecue joint is located at 327 S Wilmington St. and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2. The Pit

The owners of this restaurant pride themselves on serving only the best North Carolina-style barbecue. They prepare their barbecue pork in the authentic North Carolina way by using only the dark meat from the pig’s shoulder and combining it with a sweet tomato-based sauce. Apart from barbecue pork, they also serve Texan-style brisket, baby back ribs, barbecue turkey, fried chicken, and a barbecue tofu.

The Pit is located in a beautifully restored 1930s meatpacking warehouse and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” program, and also won the rib challenge on the Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.” On the menu, you can expect starters such as Fried Green Tomatoes, Southern-Style Deviled Eggs, and Pimento Cheese Balls. The mains, such as Pulled Pork, Baby Back Ribs, and Southern Fried Chicken, comes with two side dishes, which include green beans, potato salad, fried okra, and black-eyed peas.

The Pit also serves dinners that pair your dish with wine or beer, and they stock a fine bourbon whiskey collection. They are located at 328 W. Davie St. Hours are Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

3. Ole Time Barbecue

This barbecue joint has an old-fashioned, homely feel to it. But do not be misled by the plain decor — the locals say that they serve some of the best barbecue around. On the menu is, for instance, hand-chopped barbecue pork, St. Louis-style ribs, and barbecue chicken served with side dishes such as hush puppies, Brunswick stew, vegetables, coleslaw, and home fries. They serve no alcohol, but you can order soft drinks such as iced tea, mug root beer, and pink lemonade. The portions are huge, but if you have some space left, try the banana pudding for dessert. The locals rave about it!

They are situated at 1148, 6309 Hillsborough St., and hours are Monday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

If you feel like enjoying a traditional, slow-cooked barbecue meal, then look no further than these three barbecue joints. You will be licking your fingers!