Where To Find Totally Mouthwatering BBQ In Charlotte, NC
Charlotte has made tremendous strides in the BBQ game over the last few years. You don’t have to leave the city and travel to enjoy great barbeque anymore. There are plenty of spots that will keep you coming back. There are smoked wings, ribs, chopped whole hog, pork shoulder, and everything in between. If you haven’t enjoyed a nice barbecue in the city, maybe you have been looking at the wrong places. Luckily, we have you covered. Here are BBQ spots in Charlotte that will surprise you with their depth of flavors!
Midwood Smokehouse
1401 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 295-4227
Midwood Smokehouse has five locations in Park Road, Plaza Midwood, Ballantyne, Cross Hill Market, and Birkdale Village. Since its opening in 2011, the Smokehouse has become an essential part of the city. It’s where you can go for all your BBQ cravings. They use an all-wood smoker to give diners the most flavor, BBQing that incredible Texas-style slow-smoked barbeque. Private dining and catering services are available as well. There is also a gluten-friendly section on the menu. Try one of the barbeque plates before leaving; you can go for smoked half chicken, barbeque seasoned salmon, or pork ribs. Midwood also serves sandwiches and salads!
Sweet Lew’s BBQ
923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 224-7584
This spot is located in the blue-collar neighborhood Belmont. It’s a low-key joint popularly known for its North Carolina barbeque. The meats are cooked over pecan, peach, and hickory woods for all that good flavor. It won’t be a complete tour of Charlotte unless you stop by this place for a taste of their award-winning recipes! They have a food truck that takes their amazing BBQ on the road as well. The truck can also come to your parties and events to serve your guests if you really want to impress at any gathering you’re hosting. Try the dry-rubbed spare ribs, chopped and pulled pork, or homemade sausage.
The Smoke Pit
796 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC 28207
(704) 795-7573
The Smoke Pit has received several awards as the best because of their insanely tasty barbeque. They also deliver the best catering services every time you need them. The restaurant pulls a large crowd every day of people from all over who want a taste of the large portions of meat. They have multiple locations; if there is one in your neighborhood, you are one of the lucky ones. They use local hickory, and they butcher the meat themselves. They ensure everything is of the best quality and the food is freshly cooked every day. It’s low and slow-smoked for up to 18 hours. Find something that excites you on the menu and give it a go.
Noble Smoke
2216 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
(704) 703-5252
Jim Noble is the owner of this famous Southern barbeque spot. It’s located in a former truck maintenance facility. The spot pays tribute to all the pitmasters who inspired Noble to open this joint. They smoke over 1200 pounds of meat every day at Noble Smoke–that should show you how much Charlotte residents enjoy this place! It generally takes six hours to prepare the ribs and ten hours for the pork shoulder. The brisket can take up to fourteen hours! Noble Smoke also serves barbequed poultry dishes that you shouldn’t miss. They recommend all their customers come early because when their meat is out, it’s out. So if you don’t want to miss out, show up before everyone else.
Bar-B-Q King
2900 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
(704) 399-8344
Bar-B-Q King has been a West Charlotte tradition since 1959. Their fried chicken is well known around the neighborhood. The historic location still serves drive-in barbeque sandwiches. It’s the best place for a park-and-eat experience. The fried chicken comes dunked in barbeque sauce; don’t leave until you demolish this signature dish. It’s one of the few drive-ins that remain in Charlotte. Not much has changed since the place started, but their food has never disappointed all these years. The old-school experience and the homemade BBQ sauce will make you return again. Drive on by and pick yourself up a plate the next time you are near this spot.
Mac’s Speed Shop
2511 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 522-6227
Mac’s Speed Shop is a casual dining establishment serving dry-rubbed beef brisket, smoky pulled pork, and a whole menu full of southern fare. It is one part biker bar and one part barbeque joint and all parts awesome. They actually also have multiple locations, with great patios at most of them, and all are always filled with BBQ lovers. You can’t resist the live music that moves crowds to their doors, a unique experience for both returning and new guests. Every location has a different menu, but you will notice some of the classic dishes are constant.
McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon
4630 Old Pineville Road, Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 523-6330
This is a true family operation that is open Monday to Saturday. Their kitchen closes by 9 pm, so ensure you have your order before then! The Smokehouse and Saloon is a family-owned spot, in 2006 by two brothers and their father. The St. Louis-style ribs are a must-try, but you also can’t go wrong with the wings. Their wings are smoked with pecan wood then grilled over an open fire before being tossed into one of their signature sauces. Some prices on the menu vary these days depending on the food supplier’s costs. Always ask your server for the price if it’s not indicated before you order. The scratch-made recipe has many new dishes for you to try. Also, they’ve got some great burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
13840 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28278
(704) 930-2290
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q locations operate in seven states. The father-son duo started smoking pork in the ’80s, and they have managed to uphold their recipe up to today. You can expect quality meat every time. All the regional specialties you are after can be found in their menu. They are open every day from 11 am to 9 pm. At every location, the local pitmasters and cooks are painstakingly taught their recipes before they can start cooking for the people. That is part of the reason why they have managed to maintain authentic flavors. The Memphis-style ribs and Carolina pulled pork are some of the favorites. Their cheese biscuits will make you never want to leave!
For more information on where to eat and drink in Charlotte, visit our city page!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on March 14, 2022 and last updated on July 12, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
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