Best BBQ in the Triangle, NC: 6 Tried-and-True Spots (Updated 2026)

I am a self-proclaimed BBQ snob. I grew up in eastern North Carolina eating chopped BBQ from little no-name places every single weekend, so my standards are admittedly sky-high. Over the years, I have made it my personal mission to track down the best BBQ in the Triangle — places that satisfy my chopped, vinegar-based obsession and my husband’s western NC taste at the same time. I trimmed this list down to my tried-and-true favorites for 2026 in alphabetical order, and added a new section at the bottom for the up-and-comers I still need to get to. Here we go.

This article was originally written in January 2017 and has since been updated and recirculated for June 2026.

Best BBQ in the Triangle, NC: 6 Tried-and-True Spots

Allen & Son BBQ – Pittsboro

The Pittsboro location is still going strong, now run by the Stubbs & Son team, and it has kept the same eastern NC chopped BBQ and classic Southern roadside-joint feel — checkered tablecloths and all. They still bring a pitcher of tea to your table along with the hushpuppies. Remember to bring cash — they’re a cash only establishment. Don’t forget to check out my day trip guide for Pittsboro if you are making the drive out.

My Order: BBQ sandwich with slaw and fried okra

Allen & Son is at 5650 US-15, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Clyde Cooper’s BBQ – Raleigh

Big update here — Clyde Cooper’s BBQ left its longtime downtown Raleigh spot and moved to North Raleigh at 1326 E Millbrook Road. While I will admit I was nervous about the move, since so much of the charm was tied to that old building,  they have kept the traditional touches I love while giving themselves more space and parking.

My Order: BBQ sandwich with slaw, fries & a sweet tea

Clyde Cooper’s BBQ is at 1326 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Fiction Kitchen – Raleigh

Fiction Kitchen has moved into its new “forever home” in Gateway Plaza, and the eastern NC style chopped “pork” is still just as good as I remember from my first visit. If you do not eat meat, or you just want to try something different, this is the dish to order. I am consistently impressed that something faux can taste this convincing.

My Order: Eastern NC Style BBQ Pulled “Pork” and the black beans

Fiction Kitchen is at 2431 Crabtree Blvd Ste 103, Raleigh, NC 27604.

Longleaf Swine – Raleigh

Longleaf Swine quickly became one of my go-to spots in downtown Raleigh. It is whole hog at heart, though they layer in brisket and rotating specials that give it a little more range than your classic eastern NC joint. The covered front porch on Person Street is one of my favorite spots in the city to sit with a plate and a cold beverage.

Order: Chopped BBQ Sandwich, Pimento Mac & Cheese, after starting with the Frito Pie

Longleaf Swine is at 300 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Picnic – Durham

Picnic is still one of my favorite BBQ joints in the area. They specialize in whole-hog barbecue, and their sides continue to be seriously delicious. I love the outdoor picnic tables and the signage on the restaurant — it has such a cool, swanky vibe for a BBQ spot. Note that they are closed on Tuesdays now, so plan around that.

My Order: The whole hog barbecue sandwich, mac & cheese and/or fried okra

Picnic is at 1647 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705.

Sam Jones BBQ – Raleigh

Sam Jones is whole-hog royalty — his grandfather Pete Jones founded the legendary Skylight Inn in Ayden, and you can taste that lineage in every bite at the downtown Raleigh location. This is eastern NC barbecue at its most authentic, and it draws a line no matter when you show up, which should tell you everything.

My Order: Barbecue sandwich with slaw and a side of mac & cheese – try their legendary (and polarizing) cornbread if you haven’t yet

Sam Jones BBQ is at 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh, NC 27601.

On My List to Try

Here is my running list of the spots I keep hearing about and have not made it to yet. If you have been to any of these, tell me what to order.

The BBQ Lab – North Hills in Raleigh

Award-winning sauce and rub, an experimental menu with special features on certain days of the week. North Hills makes it an easy stop before or after shopping. Located at 4120-135 Main at North Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Chop Shop BBQ & Grill – Raleigh

Tucked into a gas station on Six Forks Road, which is exactly the kind of unassuming setup that tends to mean the food is serious. Located at 210 E Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Lawrence Barbecue – Cary

Chef Jake Wood’s BBQ-meets-oyster-bar concept, now in its Cedar Street spot in Cary. The pairing of pork barbecue and fresh NC oysters has me curious. Located at 150 E Cedar St, Cary, NC 27511.

Ole Time Barbecue – Raleigh

An old-school Hillsborough Street institution that has been serving chopped pork, fried chicken, and Brunswick stew since before I was paying attention to BBQ rankings. Overdue for a visit. Located at 6309 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27606

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, BBQ in the Triangle is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and that is exactly why I love it here. Whether you are firmly on Team Eastern like me, married to someone on Team Western like I am, or just along for the ride to eat good food, there is a plate out there for you within about a twenty-minute drive no matter where you are in the Triangle.

To make all of this easier to actually use, I put together an interactive Google Map of each place from this post pinned and ready to go — the tried-and-true favorites and the ones still on my to-try list. Bookmark it, drop a pin where you are, and let it tell you where to go next.

Do you have a favorite BBQ place in the Triangle? Locals, do you see your go-tos on this list? And if you have tried any of the spots in my “to try” section, let me know what I should order first.