The first thing you need to know about barbeque is that it’s a noun, not a verb. It’s good eating, but not anything you can grill in the backyard. When you go out for barbeque in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, let your appetite guide you, because there are several local places to chow down on this southern fare. Don’t forget the napkins!
Bill Spoon’s Barbeque
Spoon’s BBQ serves up Eastern NC style BBQ, which is made with a homemade vinegar-based barbeque sauce. Bill Spoon, who opened the eatery in 1963, passed his business savvy on to his children and grandchildren. The daily special includes BBQ, fresh coleslaw, choice of a side, hushpuppies and a beverage. Sides include Baked Beans, Barbequed Potatoes, and Brunswick stew, among other items. Needless to say, you won’t leave hungry.
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10:30 am to 3 pm, Thursday-Saturday 10:30 am to 8 pm. Closed Sunday
5524 South Blvd. Charlotte, NC
www.spoonsbarbeque.com
Red Bridge’s Barbeque Lodge
Bridges Barbeque, which originally operated as Dedmond’s Barbeque, opened in 1946, and has satisfied the local’s hankering for barbeque ever since. The specialty is pit cooked BBQ, which means the pork is slow-cooked over hickory overnight. Let your stomach guide you–go large or small with the barbeque plate or tray, and don’t forget the fries, hushpuppies, baked beans and potato salad. Everything is cooked fresh daily, so go early before they run out! Bridges is located 50 miles west of Charlotte.
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11:00 am to 8 pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
2000 East Dixon Blvd. Shelby, NC 28152
www.bridgesbbq.com
R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue
The secret is in the slaw at R.O.’s Bar-B-Que where the barbeque slaw has been a staple for over 50 years. Pearl Black, who opened R.O’s Bar-B-Cue in 1946 with her husband, R.O., developed the recipe in her own kitchen. Have a barbeque sandwich-sliced or minced-or go for the barbeque plate consisting of half a pound of pork barbecue, along with onion rings, fries, hush puppies, baked beans, sauce, slaw and two buns. 15 miles from Charlotte.
Hours: Inside Dining Monday-Saturday 10:30 am to 9 pm
Curb Service Monday-Saturday 10:30 am to 9:30 pm
1315 Gaston Ave
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-853-8788
www.rosbbq.com
Sauceman’s
Nothing says local like Sauceman’s Lexington-style BBQ, which is slow-smoked to perfection over hickory and oak, producing a succulent North Carolina taste. Local patrons are familiar with The Clark Griswold, a sandwich boasting two-and-a-half pounds of BBQ, slaw, hushpuppies and a side. Eat it in less than 30 minutes and the $25 price is waived and your picture will grace the wall of Sauceman’s.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am to 6 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 9 pm. Closed Sunday (except for Panthers Home games).
228 West Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
www.saucemans.com
