5 great places to get North Carolina barbecue in the Triangle
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There are plenty of places to get barbecue in the Triangle but who stands out above the rest? Here are five terrific places to get Eastern NC-style barbecue.
1. Sam Jones BBQ
Why it stands out: Sam Jones is owned by the family of the late Pete Jones, founder of the legendary Skylight Inn restaurant.
Address: 502 W Lenoir St., Raleigh
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday 11am-8:30pm.
2. Picnic
Why it stands out: Picnic serves barbecue with classic southern appetizers like deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, pickle fries, and pimento cheese with saltines.
Address: 1647 Cole Mill Rd., Durham
Hours: 11am-8pm Monday and Wednesday-Sunday (closed Tuesday).
3. Clyde Cooper's
Why it stands out: With just a $50 loan from his brother-in-law, Clyde Cooper opened this Eastern-style barbecue restaurant in Downtown Raleigh in 1938.
Address: 327 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3:30pm.
4. Ole Time Barbecue
Why it stands out: Another old-school joint that's been a favorite of Raleigh for decades. It also has a great breakfast.
Address: 6309 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 6am-8pm, closed on Sunday.
5. Backyard BBQ Pit
Why it stands out: It's a south Durham classic that has gotten plaudits in Southern Living. The signature dish is its chopped pork shoulder.
Address: 5122 NC Highway 55, Durham
Hours: Monday-Friday 12pm-730pm, Saturday-Sunday closed.
