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Our Choice for BEST Local Eastern Carolina BBQ

Vinegar based Eastern Carolina BBQ with slaw and hushpuppies

If you come to the South, you have to try Southern BBQ at least once. But in Eastern Carolina the term “BBQ”; refers to a dish served with pulled pork or chicken, drip formed hush puppies and Cole Slaw. You will find that the meat is always marinated in a vinegar base with some chili pepper added as seasoning. On occasion you may find a more traditional Tennessee base that utilizes a dark sauce with a tangy and sweet taste. While usually served loose on a plate Eastern Carolina Barbeque is sometimes offered as a sandwich. But be warned – if ordered that way it will arrive at your table with a large helping of slaw on top! To be honest, that’s the way we like it best.Eastern Carolina Barbeque is typicallyBBQ rib plate with BBQ baked beans YUM!

served with a large basket of Hushpuppies for the whole table to share. These hushpuppies are corn bread based, with a dark golden brown crusting and are often served as an appetizer. Legend has it that they got their name because they were used to distract or hush the barking of plantation dogs as servants brought large meals from the outdoor kitchens to the main house. Sweet Tea is the drink of the South. This is not Lipton style ice tea I am referring to. It is Luzianne style brewed tea with sugar – lots of sugar. It is good with all kinds of food particularly BBQ and is the expected companion with dinner at most sit down restaurants. For non-southerners it does take some getting used to but once your taste buds are adjusted you will never go back – guaranteed. And for desert expect the local favorite banana pudding or pecan pie.

The following are some of the good places for BBQ

Ole Time Barbecue ($) 6309 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27606 (919)859-2544. This is a REAL local cooking.

The Pit ($) 328 W. Davie St. Raleigh, NC (919)-890-4500. Serves authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbeque. Ed Mitchell the PitMaster the the owner cooks 2 whole pigs cut in half and roasted in a closed in BBQ grill until it is so tender that you can just push it down with a fork and it will fall apart. The recipe is handed down from his Grandfather and it is nothing you can find somewhere else.

Dixie Bell BBQ ($) 1001 Davis Drive, Apex, NC (919)303-6676

Q Shack – ($) 4158 Main At North Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609 (919)786-4381. Another good BBQ with a little modern decor

Backyard BBQ in RTP/Durham($) . It is not a fancy place but the food is authentic. They serve tender BBQ, chop BBQ, Pork Rib, Chicken BBQ and all kinds of southern cook vegetable. Good place and delicious with decent price.