Where to Get Barbecue in Charlotte
Here’s to pork well pulled
Vinegar-based or tomato-infused sauce? Whole hog or shoulder only? Pulled pork sandwich or a platter of ribs? Fortunately, Charlotte’s got a ’cue for any craving.
Sweet Lew’s BBQ
923 Belmont Ave.
Owner Lewis Donald’s barbecue is Lexington-style, seasoned with only salt and pepper and smoked for 10 to 12 hours. Add whatever sauce you like—eastern North Carolina vinegar, Lexington-style red dip, South Carolina mustard, or mayonnaise-based Alabama white.
Midwood Smokehouse
Plaza Midwood: 1401 Central Ave.
Park Road: 540 Brandywine Rd.
Ballantyne: 12410 Johnston Rd.
Huntersville: 16710 Birkdale Commons Pkwy.
Each location stays true to the original on Central Avenue, with oversized tables and plenty of bar space, flat-screen TVs visible from each seat, and barbecue- and beer-themed art on the walls. Platters come heaped with hickory-smoked pork, beef brisket, pulled barbecue chicken, and all the essential sides. It’s a fun spot for families with young kids, a safe bet for out-of-towners, and the one most likely to turn up in a Google search of best barbecue restaurants in the city.
Midwood’s Kansas City-style Burnt Ends remain a fan favorite.
Lancaster’s BBQ
Huntersville and Mooresville
Both locations serve eastern-style barbecue that Jeff prepares himself. He rubs pork butts with salt, pepper, and a secret seasoning, then cooks them for 12 to 13 hours on the wood-burning gas smoker. The menu also includes smoked brisket and baby back ribs. Combo platters come with fixings like Brunswick stew, fresh collard greens, fried okra, mustard or mayo slaw, and hand-cut chips.
Lancaster’s pulled pork sandwich with house-made chips and a side of slaw.
Mac’s Speed Shop
South End: 2511 South Blvd.
Solid barbecue and cold beer (150 choices) in a bike-themed space draw fun-loving crowds, with additional locations in Matthews and Lake Norman.
The Improper Pig
Rea Farms: 9855 Sandy Rock Pl., Suite A
Fort Mill: 204 Main St., Ste. 102
Head here for eastern-style pulled pork, St. Louis-style ribs, Korean BBQ salmon, Chaobao tacos, and a “no pig” sandwich for vegetarians.
Pulled pork, brisket, collard greens, and mac and cheese from Noble Smoke.
Noble Smoke
West Charlotte: 2216 Freedom Dr. and Optimist Hall
Feast on Carolina-style pork and Texas-style brisket, and grab a drink at the “Legends Counter” with custom plaques for Southern barbecue icons.
521 BBQ & Grill
Multiple locations
Ribs, barbecue, and brisket are hickory smoked for 14 hours in the restaurant’s house seasoning.
City Barbeque
Multiple locations
If you can’t decide, go for the City Sampler, a platter with beef brisket, pulled pork, sausage, turkey, two sides, and Texas toast.
The Q Shack
10822 Providence Road
Feast on brisket and pulled pork coated in vinegar-based sauce, plus homemade sides like baked beans, mac and cheese, and fried okra.
The Smoke Pit
Multiple locations
Hickory-smoked pork is served on lunch trays with cornbread or Texas toast, and their burnt ends are some of the best in North Carolina.
Gary’s Bar-B-Cue
620 U.S. 29, China Grove
The colossal pulled pork sandwiches are reason enough to visit, but they’ve also got free Cheerwine refills and restored antique cars on display.
Gary’s Bar-B-Cue in China Grove serves pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue plates, and banana pudding (above) and displays antique cars (below).
McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon
4630 Old Pineville Road
This rustic, family-run spot serves barbecue and other comfort food plus weekly drink specials.
Bar-B-Q King
2900 Wilkinson Blvd.
This family-run, drive-in spot has served barbecue, fried chicken, po’boys, and more since 1959.
The Crazy Pig
402 S. Main St., Davidson
Choose from a variety of barbecue sandwiches or platters, listen to live music on the patio, or catch a car show on select weekends.
