Charlotte, North Carolina, has become a popular destination for food lovers looking to indulge in mouthwatering barbecue flavors. With a plethora of barbecue restaurants, the city gives you a variety of options to choose from. From their locations to signature dishes, each restaurant provides a unique barbecue experience in Queen City. So, are you ready for the best BBQ in Charlotte NC? Let’s start our BBQ Charlotte NC guide!
Noble Smoke
You cannot talk about the best barbecue in Charlotte without mentioning Noble Smoke. Located just outside of Uptown Charlotte, Noble sources premium quality and organic ingredients, teaming up with ethical farmers in the city. The final product is better and more flavorful thanks to the premium, all-natural products and, of course, hickory wood.
The menu offers different barbeque meats such as Chopped Cheshire Pork, Smoked Turkey Breast and Joyce Farms Chicken. You can also find delectable desserts such as strawberry rhubarb and a slice of pie. One of the signature dishes we recommend is Carolina Whole Hog Plate, offering a delectable blend of flavors that captures the essence of Carolina barbecue. You will also enjoy their tender brisket and delectable smoked chicken.
The spacious, industrial-style BBQ joint offers an inviting atmosphere with modern lighting and comfortable seating, perfect for lunch with your friends, coworkers and family.
Jon G’s
Famous for its top-notch smoked meats and homemade sides, Jon G’s brings inspiration from Texas. From succulent brisket to aroma-rich pulled pork, visitors can enjoy various delectable handcrafted meats and barbecue delights. Visitors also rave about their smokehouse platters, sandwiches, tacos and house-made sausage links. The signature, “G’s Special Ribs,” is another fan-favorite that exemplifies Jon G’s commitment to quality and taste.
Located in an energetic neighborhood, the family-owned restaurant features rustic décor and a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy juicy, tender meat with your friends and family. Without a doubt, the restaurant offers the best BBQ in Charlotte.
Sweet Lew’s BBQ
Located on charming Belmont Avenue, Sweet Lew is the perfect place to get that finger-licking good, authentic, wood-smoked BBQ prepared using traditional techniques. With a laid-back dining room and patio, the restaurant has something for everyone.
From wood-smoked BBQ meats such as ribs, smoked turkey and fried chicken to mouthwatering sausages and fried fish, the menu caters to all preferences. Their “Smoked Pork Shoulder Plate” is a standout dish that exemplifies the artistry of slow-cooked perfection. Refreshing beer, wine and cocktails are also available.
Midwood Smokehouse
Located in Plaza Wood, this roadhouse-like restaurant plus bar offers regional BBQ specialties on plates and in sandwiches. With 3 locations around the city, the famous smokehouse uses NC hickory hardwood for its barbecue. The menu features a variety of smoked meats, including brisket and sausages, served with a selection of delectable homemade sauces specially made by the chefs.
The “Brisket Plate,” which showcases their expertise in smoking techniques, is a must-try. It has different types of barbeque meats with delicious sidelines. Slow-cooked to perfection, each brisket takes 12 to 16 hours to smoke, depending on the size. Besides delicious BBQ, you can also choose from a good variety of drinks, including craft cocktails. It is one of the top BBQ restaurants in Charlotte NC.
Mac’s Speed Shop
Mac’s Speed Shop is a must-visit for those looking for a vibrant and lively barbecue experience. The restaurant, located in a busy part of town near Concord Mall, offers a unique combination of barbecue and biker culture. Guests can enjoy a variety of smoked meats, such as ribs and pulled chicken while immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere.
Want to enjoy the true taste of North Carolina barbecue? Try the “Mac’s Platter,” which provides a wide selection of barbecue specialties. You can bring the entire family since they also have events, live music and a pet-friendly patio.
The Smoke Pit
The Smoke Pit has a casual, country-style and comfortable atmosphere, making it a popular gathering place for families and friends to enjoy exceptional barbecue. Located in Concord, the restaurant offers a diverse selection of meats, from chicken to pork, expertly smoked to perfection. Whether you like pulled pork or smoked chicken, the menu has something for everyone. Their “Combo Platter” is an excellent way to sample a variety of their delectable offerings accompanied by two sides and sweet onion hush puppies in a serving.
Each day, they freshly cook all their meats, smoked with local hickory over low heat for up to 18 hours. Moreover, they directly butcher all of the meat, which is of the highest caliber.
The Improper Pig
In 2014, two Carolinas-based food experts got together to explore the seemingly limitless varieties of BBQ styles. Inspired by their favorite flame flavors, they created The Improper Pig in the Rea Farms, Charlotte. With its modern take on traditional barbecue, the Charlotte BBQ joint is a favorite among locals and tourists.
Customers can enjoy a fusion of flavors, fusing barbecue with various influences. From classics like pulled pork and St. Louis-style ribs to Brisket Banh Mi, BBQ Tacos and Korean barbecue salmon, the menu offers an exciting journey through the innovative world of BBQ. Guests can also enjoy burgers, sandwiches and appetizers in a trendy, modern space.
Bar-B-Q King
The famous family-run Bar-B-Q King is located in Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte. Besides delicious BBQ and fried chicken, the menu boasts burgers, hot dogs and fresh sides for a well-rounded experience. The best item on the menu is their famous “Barbecue Sandwich” – a Southern classic that tastes just like it.
What is the best thing about Bar-B-Q King? They make everything from scratch, from smoked BBQ to hand-made burgers and hand-breaded onion rings. Every day, the restaurant prepares 25 pork shoulders, 180 pounds of hamburger patties and 200 pounds of onion rings.
OooWee BBQ
Serving Charlotte and surrounding areas, OooWee BBQ food truck has carved a niche for itself in the city’s culinary landscape, serving classic BBQ & Southern sides. The menu is a celebration of smoked delights, from succulent ribs to tender pulled pork, all masterfully cooked to perfection. Their menu offers everything from turkey legs to ribs to suit every taste bud of your family or friends. If you want a hearty meal, try the BBQ Chicken, Pork, Ribs, Brisket, and the signature BBQ Sundae. Their delicious meals are served piping hot under the sky from the food truck.
City Barbeque
City Barbeque is a counter-serve smokehouse chain with 3 locations around Charlotte, serving award-winning classic BBQ fare and authentic comfort food. The varied menu features a variety of barbecue styles, ensuring there is something for everyone. Their ‘Two-Meat Combo’ allows guests to sample a variety of flavors, from pulled pork to smoked sausage. Everything from beef brisket to St. Louis-cut ribs, pulled pork, Amish chickens to turkey breast and special-recipe sausages is smoked onsite.
The fast-casual restaurant also has five signature sauces based on regional BBQ styles and made from their own secret recipes, perfect to pair with their offerings. You will also love their huge sandwiches, homemade sides, and fresh salads, all made fresh daily in the restaurant. It is simply one of the top places for the best BBQ in North Carolina. The restaurant offers the best BBQ in Charlotte.
The Q Shack
Once you set foot inside this casual barbeque restaurant, you will be enticed by the tantalizing aroma of barbecue wafting through the air. Q Shack’s menu features a variety of smoked-pit meats ranging from brisket to juicy ribs to pulled pork and fresh, housemade sides. The “BBQ Sampler Platter” allows guests to sample a variety of their best offerings with scrumptious sidelines and drinks to complete the meal in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.
Best BBQ in Charlotte NC: Conclusion
There you have it, the top BBQ restaurants in Charlotte that you must not miss if you are a fan of high-quality smoked meats. From juicy, tender ribs to special-recipe pulled pork, chicken, short rib, and brisket, the Queen City has something for everyone. So, next time you crave the best BBQ in Charlotte, visit any of these places and enjoy the best of smoked goodness the Queen City has to offer.
