Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Updated: Which barbecue places should be in the tournament?

Comments are now closed. Thanks! Bracket will be in paper of March 15.

Tell us which pulled pork barbecue places should go into our upcoming Tournament of Food. Places must be within 50 miles of Charlotte. We create a bracket of 16. then invite readers to vote on one-on-one matchups. No anonymous comments will be counted! Let the porcine madness begin.

Note: Lexington's outside the boundary for this. I'll stop taking nominees at 5 p.m. March 8.

UPDATE: I'm getting swamped by anonymous comments that won't count -- please get a screen name (it doesn't have to be your real name) and re-comment if you commented anonymously!

149 comments:

Charlotte Homes said...

Bubbas BBQ

Charlotte Real Estate said...

Spoons BBQ on South Blvd.

MichelleLCrist said...

521 BBQ in Indian Land, SC! Amazing!

Beefydoc said...

The conversation starts and stops with Wayne Monk's Lexington Barbecue. Every conversation I have about barbecue joints ends up with some variation of, "it's better than" , or "it's just as good as" Lexington Barbecue. I noticed you made the cut off 50 miles from Charlotte. Lexington Barbecue sits about 45 miles from the city limits. Coincidence? Hmmm?

Wiley Coyote said...

Mine.

Unknown said...

None, pulled pork isn't BBQ

Derek said...

Bridges in Shelby
521 BBQ in Indian Land

Unknown said...

none of them...pulled pork isn't BBQ

Johnny Burrito said...

Red Bridges Bar-B-Que Lodge in Shelby on Hwy 74.

Anne Williams said...

I am a fan of both Bar B Que King and Spoon's

Sammy Eanes said...

Bobbee O's on Old Statesville Rd. for sure. My favorite BBQ joint in town.

Mike Fisher said...

Gary's BBQ China Grove

John S said...

Lancaster's Mooresville/Huntersville

Genevieve Granson said...

Ranucci's Big Butt BBQ and Grill, Catawba Street, Belmont, NC.

Unknown said...

Lexington Barbeuque #1, AKA the Monk or The Honey Monk. #1 seed for a reason, it is the best in the state

Graham Singer said...

Midwood Smokehouse

TedC said...

In Charlotte, NONE!!!

Charlotte is not known for authentic BBQ. Anyone who posts the name of a commerical bbq joint does not know what real BBQ is like.

PitMaster said...

#1 Bridges Lodge in Shelby
#2 Old Country BBQ in Gastonia
#3 Courtney's in Clover

There is no BBQ in Charlotte. Hasn't been since the city took the ability to cook over open flames away. Bring back the pit, it is the only real way to cook the meat. No baked BBQ is worth a penny!

Thomas Smith said...

Macs, Queen City, Sage Garden Catering, Rock ridge BBQ

Brian Rubins said...

The best and most consistent pulled pork in Charlotte right now is from Midwood Smokehouse.

Good Will said...

Alston Bridges Barbecue, Shelby, NC

Mike D said...

Lancasters in mooresville

Penny said...

This is a no-brainer for me: 521 BBQ at 7580 Charlotte Hwy. in Indian Land, SC. Been our favorite for years since we found it. Be sure to check them out even if they dont win...you will love it!
Penny Cunningham, Charlotte

Jason's Mom said...

None. You have to go east of I-95 to get good pork barbecue.

Eddie Green said...

Old Hickory House on N Tryon. Year in and year out, the best around

lkpartee said...

Spoon's
Bubba's
Elwood's

J Palmer said...

Lancaster's on Beatties Ford Rd.

rawill said...

Bridges BBQ in Shelby

J Connor said...

Lancasters

Rick M said...

Rick M
Says Garys in China Grove!

John said...

Ranucci's BBQ in Belmont. Best around the Charlotte area

Unknown said...

Sauceman's on West Blvd, y'all.

Heather Moneymaker said...

Q2U BBQ PIT and Catering, Lake Wylie

Todd said...

Ranuccis in Belmont is great and has placed in Top 10 in in Memphis contests.

To anyone that still likes Spoons, have you eaten anywhere else? It was great when Bill Spoon was alive, it's horrible now. I've lived here 25 years, I know.

R Duis said...

Queen City Q

Michael Craig said...

Queen City Q is the best in Charlotte.

Donna Bordeax, CPA, PFS said...

Q2U BBQ is by far the best! They have their own sauces and the bbq is phenomenal!!
www.q2ubbq.com
4052 Charlotte Hwy
Lake Wylie

JCB23 said...

Rock Store-Stallings, NC

Anonymous said...

Mac's Speed Shop most definitely best I'm Charlotte.

Kevin said...

Bubba's is the best BBQ in Charlotte.

Kitty said...

Bobbee-O's on Old Statesville Rd in Charlotte is amazing. So flavorful you don't even need to add any sauce!

Meaghan said...

Q2U BBQ Pit in Lake Wylie, SC!!

Teresa Arnold said...

Whispering Pines, Albemarle. Been in business since the 1940's

Testing said...

I agree with Bobbee-Os and Midwood Smokehose also both are great.

ScottCLT said...

1. Red Bridge's Barbecue Lodge
2. Sauceman's
3. Bill Spoon's

Unknown said...

The Que Stand - Harrisburg, NC

It's definitely in the top 5 within 50 miles.

Unknown said...

Jo Jo's Backyard BBQ on Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC

From
Tammy

Sam said...

Q2U BBQ Pit and Catering, Lake Wylie, South Carolina

Anonymous said...

Q2U BBQ and Catering
Lake Wylie, South Carolina

Unknown said...

I would nominate Lakeshore BBQ in the Triangle area of East Lincoln County, near Denver. Great Lexington style and the best ribs on Friday and Saturdays, plus terrific brunswick stew
Polly Redd, Denver

dmoh said...

Just came from lunch at Q2U BBQ Pit in Lake Wylie. Yum

Doug said...

Kyle Fletchers BBQ in Lowell

Zach S. said...

Bats BBQ Rock Hill SC

dbow08 said...

For the Tournament from my wide Q experience in this area, I recommend 521 BBQ off 521 in Indian Land; Midwood Smoke House on Central Ave, Charlotte; Macs BBQ on S. Blvd; Lexington BBQ (the original)in Lexington; Queen City Q in Uptown Charlotte (top bannana pudding too); Courtneys BBQ in Clover, SC; Bridges BBQ in Shelby on 74; And Woodlands BBQ in Blowing Rock! (past 50 miles I guess, but worth a mention..Woodlands sets the standard for great chopped Q, Sides and Great Atmosphere!)

JW said...

Bar-B-Que King in Lincolnton

Gtownsmoker said...

If it is not cooked over hickory wood, its not BBQ.

Kyle Fletchers, nuff said

Rod said...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/13/3524811/barbecue-shocker-charlotte-had.html

TedC - I think you are mistaken. Charlotte may actually be home to the first "pit" stand according to this culinary researcher.

We can agree that it has become more difficult to find, but to say that Charlotte does not have a place in BBQ history is off the mark.

Julian Wright said...

Lexington BBQ.

Red Bridges BBQ in Shelby.

Sauceman's here in Charlotte. I like Midwood Smokehouse and Mac's too, but I give the nod to Sauceman's here. The yare doing god stuff over on West Blvd.

Justin Q said...

Rock Store in Stallings

bobby cue said...

Hillbilly's BBQ & Steaks in Lowell

Unknown said...

521 BBQ Lancaster
Lancaster BBQ mooresville Huntersville
Bill Spoons

Joyce C said...

Q2U Bque on Lake Wylie!!!

Quinn said...

Old Hickory House

duchess of york said...

Q-2-U BBQ IN LAKE WYLIE SC IS OFF-THE HOOK AWESOME! Voted Best BBQ in Lake Wylie 4 years running and well-deserved. Their bbq and sauces are second to none. Mouth watering deliciousness!

John S said...

Gary's BBQ in China Grove and Wink's in Salisbury

Foodie4sure said...

Lexington BBQ Center
Lexington #1
Alston Bridges in Shelby

Shamash said...

Elwoods.

I second that...

BBQFoodie said...

Ranuccis Big Butt BBQ and Grill, Belmont NC.
Best pulled pork I have had in or around Charlotte and I have tried most of them. Their sauces are also very good and come on the side.
They get my vote!

Ashley said...

Old Hickory House....hands down!

Anonymous said...

Fresh Air in Jackson, Ga...

Rockodog said...

Richard's BBQ and College BBQ in Salisbury are excellent.

Spivalicious said...

Lexington #1 - nothing else comes close

KLS said...

Kyle Fletcher's..and try the onion rings, too!

Unknown said...

Q2U BBQ! Lake Wylie, SC. Best food and best people!

FPH said...

1. Brushy Creek Bar-B-Q House

S.C. 81, Powdersville, S.C. (864) 269-0155.

True-to-tradition S.C. barbecue: Slightly smoky chopped pork with
mustard-based sauce, plus pork over rice on the side. The coleslaw slaw is
topped with thick slices of sweet pickle. The desserts -- red velvet cake,
chocolate cake, coconut cake and brownies on our visit -- are made by the
owner.

2. Bridges Barbecue Lodge

U.S. 74 East Bypass, Shelby, N.C. (704) 482-8567.

One of the leaders in Carolina barbecue, for good reason. The Bridges
family has been making it since 1946. Pork shoulders are cooked over
hickory and oak -- the woodpile is as long as several tractor-trailers --
then chopped coarsely with some crusty brown bits. It's served with a
tart/hot sauce that is thicker and darker than most.

3. Alston Bridges

620 Grover St., Shelby, N.C. (704) 482-1998.

Alston Bridges and "Red" Bridges of the Barbecue Lodge weren't related, but
both worked for barbecue pioneer Warner Stamey. At Alston's, the pork is
very finely chopped and served with a thin, red vinegar sauce. It's also
known for tender, sauce-covered ribs.

4. Hendrix Barbecue

2488 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, N.C. (704) 633-9838.

How can you resist a restaurant with a giant chicken on the roof? This
roadhouse serves classic barbecue: Tender pork with a hint of smoke, served
up with coleslaw and delicious hush puppies.

5. Lexington Barbecue

U.S. 29/70, Lexington, N.C. (336) 249-9814.

A Lexington landmark for good reason. Wayne Monk and his family make
simple, straightforward pork barbecue, cooked all night over wood. The
coleslaw slaw is red and tangy, the perfect thing to mix with minced pork
with just a hint of smoke.

6. Bar-B-Q Center

900 N. Main St., Lexington, N.C. (336) 248-4633.

Lexington is packed with barbecue restaurants, but we love the look of this
one: A classic 1950s-style drive-in. The finely chopped barbecue is soft in
texture with hints of crusty outside brown. It's almost as popular for ice
cream: The yacht-size banana splits should require a boating license.

7. Short Sugar's

1328 S. Scales St., Reidsville, N.C.; (336) 342-7487.

Three brothers, Johnny, Clyde and Eldridge Overby, were planning to open a
drive-in in 1949 when Eldridge was killed in an car accident. So the
restaurant was given his nickname, "Short Sugar." It's still appropriate --
the dark brown sauce is tart and sweet, served over coarsely chopped
barbecue.

8. Allen & Son

N.C. 86, near Chapel Hill, N.C. (919) 942-7576.

Our favorite version of classic Eastern Carolina-style barbecue: Moist and
tender pork, shredded and flecked with red pepper, served with a thin, hot
vinegar sauce. How can pork shoulder have this much flavor? As a waitress
told us: "Shoveling coals for 9 or 10 hours a day." It shows.

9. Mitchell's

6228 S. Ward Blvd., Wilson, N.C. (252) 291-9189.

In Wilson, the mecca of Eastern-style barbecue, Ed Mitchell was a relative
newcomer when he opened a small restaurant in his parents' old grocery
store in the 1990s. But word spread quickly. Mitchell's is now in a large,
new building. Service is cafeteria-style, so you have a choice of more
vegetables and meats than most places. The barbecue is authentic
Eastern-style.

10. Parker's

2514 N.C. 301 South (Ward Boulevard), Wilson, N.C. (252) 237-0972.

When people say "Eastern-style," this is what they mean. Vinegar-tangy
minced pork, served family-style with yellow coleslaw, tasty Brunswick
stew, corn sticks, hush puppies and sweet tea by the pitcher. The place
never changes, right down to the black-and-white aerial photos of Wilson
County and the polite young waiters in paper hats.

.....to name a few visited back in the day.

Suzanne L said...

Q2U BBQ Lake Wylie,sc. Best BBQ around..

Ed Wood said...

Ranucci's Big Butt BBQ and Grill in Belmont, home of the porkasaurus. This is one of the best BBQ places I have been too. Not only is the restaurant great, but look at their competition accomplishments.

TIM said...

Sauceman's on West Blvd. - they have a HUGE smoker outside and food is outstanding.

ncdave77 said...

Sauceman's in Charlotte and 521 BBQ down in Indian Land.

Nils L. said...

Q-2-U in Lake Wylie, SC. Great pork, ribs, chicken and steaks too!

Sam Edwards said...

If you want to include the best BBQ, it will come from Lexington. My favorite is from the Barbeque Center indowntown Lexington, by far the best coarse chopped BBQ around.

Maribeth said...

Red Bridges Bar-B-Que Lodge in Shelby on Hwy 74. Best in the state.

In Charlotte - Sauceman's

Annette said...

Gary's BBQ in China Grove

Cathy D said...

Ranucci's B B Q & Grill in Belmont N C Looking for great BBQ, this is the place. Everything scratch made. I was fortunate enough to stop for dinner when they had beef ribs as a special. Huge ribs, right amount of smoke and great sauces. My friend had the pulled pork sandwich and said it was by far the best pork BBQ they have had in the Charlotte area. Try the Brunswick stew it's delicious. This is my go to BBQ place.

Unknown said...

521 BBQ
Smokey Bones
Sticky Fingers
Shanes Rib Shack
Elwood's Barbecue & Burger Bar

dmrs22 said...

BobbeeOs on old Statesville rd

Midwood Smokehouse on Central Ave

Stephen said...

"Pulled Pork" is a yankee term. It's just called barbecue.

Kelly Setzer said...

ALSTON Bridges Barbecue in Shelby (...not Red)

LKM said...

Q 2 U Lake Wylie, SC

LKM said...

Fort mill bbq company

itsdeenah said...

Ranucci's BBQ hands down! Very few others are having their BBQ judged by professionals and winning every year at competitions side by side with the likes of Jack's Old South & Yazoo Delta Q or at Memphis in May like Ranucci's. He's top 10 for shoulder in the World and always a big winner & hometown favorite at Charlotte competitions. According to professional judges he's the best and many of us agree!! RANUCCI's BBQ all the way baby!!

Cyb said...

Q2U BBQ Pit, Lake Wylie SC

Jandeacola said...

Rock store in Stallings

jimcat said...

If this competition is open to Lexington Q joints then the Charlotte restauarants don't have a chance.
-Lexington #1
-BBQ Center

ckirkland said...

Midwood Smokehouse, Charlotte, NC. OUTSTANDING and smoked on site,

ckirkland said...

Local Dish Restaurant, Fort Mill, SC
Absolutely wonderful, flavorful,and delicious, served on a melt in your mouth bun!

Heather lasker said...

Q2U BBQ in lake Wylie is the best around!

Unknown said...

Lexington is more than 50 miles away from Charlotte (unfortunately), so stop mentioning Lexington bbq.

AlJo said...

Ranucci's Pork BBQ is great.

Mightyscott said...

YES, YES, YES, Ranucci's, is the best!!!! Mightyscott

Unknown said...

Saucemans on west Blvd is great.

gerry k said...

Local Dish on Main Street in Fort Mill is worth a try

Corinna Kahn said...

Uncle C's BBQ in Statesville, NC

itsdeenah said...

Ranucci's BBQ & Grill. Just walking by his place smells like what REAL Carolina BBQ is all about!! Lived in Belmont, NC all my life and ate shoulder & whole hog since I was a young boy and my vote is Ranucci's.

jeffrey_z said...

Ranucci's BBQ

s LANCASTER said...

Q2U BBQ LAKE WYLIE SC

AWESOME BBQ AND GREAT STAFF

sherman said...

Q2u in lake wylie. great pork, but absolutely best brisket ive had anywhere!

Rooter said...

Ranucci's BBQ & Grill in Belmont
Great litle place with over the top BBQ

Nancy McGee said...

Q2U Pit BBQ in Lake Wylie, SC - Best I ever had!!!

Chad Bordeaux said...

Q2U BBQ in Lake Wylie

Unknown said...

We love 521 BBQ in Indian Land and Q2U BBQ Pit at Lake Wylie. Give 'em a try!! Donna Peters

Jodibar said...

Q2U BBQ Pit in Lake Wylie,SC has fantastic BBQ! They have their own sauces and the pulled pork and the ribs are out of this world.

Unknown said...

10 Park Lanes

Dianne Kehler said...

Q2B BBQ in Lake Wylie is the best.

Dianne Kehler
Remedics Restoration Carolinas, LLC

Anonymous said...

10 Park Lanes!

Bob said...

Burk's BBQ, Rock Hill.

kjohnson said...

Midwood Smokehouse, they smoke their Q for 14 hours!

amaguireoh said...

Midwood Smokehouse!! Killer BBQ; I eat there once a week :)

Unknown said...

MIDWOOD SMOKEHOUSE for SURE!!

Kara said...

Midwood Smokehouse! Yuuummmmm

Jenny said...

Midwood Smokehouse

Tina said...

Midwood Smokehouse

James said...

The McRib from the Indian Trail McD's. Best in town!

Jarrod Warren said...

Midwood Smokehouse deff. the best bbq in charlotte.100% hickory wood smoked, pulled by hand

Willis said...

Thank goodness someone pointed out that Lexington is 60+ miles from Charlotte. Now, seeing as how I grew up in Lexington and on Lexington BBQ, I feel as if I an insiders perspective as to what is good BBQ and what is not. There are several mentioned that I feel are legit such as Bridges and Kyle Fletchers's...But the best I have had in a while comes from 10 PARK LANES. That's right, a bowling alley, it has six homemade sauces that are stellar and run the gauntlet of tastes. Hands down best in Charlotte. Monk's in Lexington would be proud to compete against it.

Unknown said...

10 Park Lanes!

Jon said...

Midwood Smokehouse without a doubt!

briy said...

I have been abstaining from commenting as I don't know of a good bbq place in Charlotte (seems to be a commmon thread), but as people have nominated Bridges in Shelby (outstanding) - I'd like to mention R&R in Concord - just off I-85 at mile marker 52. Everything is tops there - and they do brisket on Fridays.

Unknown said...

Bill Spoon's hands down. Queen City Q lost their flavor when Dan "Boone" left.

Unknown said...

Midwood Smokehouse hand pulled BBQ is awesome!

Sara said...

Mac's on South is the best!

Sweets Mcgee said...

Sauceman's!

Tripp said...

R&R BBQ in Concord

TheGlobetrotta said...

Q2U BBQ 4052 Charlotte Hwy
Lake Wylie, South Carolina 29710

Jeffnof said...

1. Lancaster's in Huntersville
2. BBQ King in Lincolnton
3. Sauceman's in Charlotte

HooisierMike said...

Hands down Q2U in Lake Wylie! The Charlotte Champion Saucemakers!
Just the right blend of smoke, vinegar & sauce to make you keep coming back for more!

Hoosieremike

ButchB said...

My wife & I traveled from NJ to visit friends & stopped in at Q2U in Lake Wylie.The best Pit stop for BBQ in the Charlotte Area! Great food, friendly atmosphere; owners went out of their way to make us feel right at home!

David said...

Midwood Smokehouse

Boss Hog said...

Real BBQ is a labor of love! Boy Scout Troop 11 @ Providence United Methodist Church March 15 & 16. No better BBQ in Charlotte. Award winning. Done the old fashioned way.


hiprhyme said...

Wink's in Salisbury

BBQ Sauce said...

Q2U BBQ & Catering In Lake Wylie The Best BBQ Hands Down!!!

QDude said...

Ranucci's BBQ in Belmont. Not only some of the best bbq but amazing unique sandwiches. You have to try the porkasauras, 3 types of pork on one sandwich.

Food Guru said...

Hi Helen,

Q2U BBQ Pit in LAKE WYLIE SOUTH CAROLINA!!!

#1 BBQ

http://q-2-u.com

Unknown said...

Q2u Bbq Pit in Lake Wylie, the bbq is the best around and the staff is great.

Unknown said...

The best BBQ outside of Lexington has to be Q2U in Lake Wylie!

Rhonda said...

Q2U BBQ in Lake Wylie, SC. Best bbq in the Charlotte area.

BBQ Lover said...

My family and I love BBQ. Have to say the best BBQ around is Q2U BBQ Pit, in Lake Wylie, SC. They even make their own sauce.

Ryan Mercer said...

Q2U BBQ PIT and Catering just off Lake Wylie
Great!

Vicky said...

Best place by far is Q2U BBQ Pit and Catering in Lake Wylie, SC. The food is awesome and the staff is wonderful. They should be in this tournament.