More notes from the BBQ Trail - North Carolina

We took a short vacation to North Carolina last week, and in spite of more than a little rain, we had a pretty good trip - and accomplished what we set out to do.  Along the way, we got to hit a couple of BBQ spots.  I'm learning that NC bbq tends to run from a vinegar base in the east to the more 'traditional' tomato based sauce in the west.  The common binder between the better spots was hickory.  There is something magical about pig butt (really the shoulder) slow cooked over hickory.

For this trip, we were tempted to revisit a couple of spots from past visits, but time and faulty memory ensured that we tried all new spots.  In chronological order, here are the spots we found this time.  To save repeating the obvious, we had sandwiches with pulled/chopped pork in every place we stopped.

Bar-B-Q King, 2900 Wilkinson, Charlotte.  A drive-in.  With order speakers, swing tables, and car-hops.  No roller skates.  No mini skirts.  A uniformed officer walking security, which may give you an idea of the neighborhood.  This place gets great marks from local reviewers, and it was OK. Nothing special, but OK. I had a side of onion rings, and they were pretty interesting - battered in a cornmeal batter.  Service was good and friendly.  B-

The walls are covered with autographs.  

Backyard BBQ Pit, 5122 NC-55.  This is one of those places that you'd look at and drive on by... Unless you follow Yahoo, The Food Network or The Travel Channel.  We got there a little after noon, and the lunch crowd was just winding down.  Sandwich and 2 sides was simply the best.  $5.50 for a big sandwich on a great bun, full of perfectly cooked and flavored meat.  Excellent coleslaw, on the sandwich.  Hushpuppies. Really good hushpuppies, crispy on the outside, perfectly seasoned and cooked.  And the best collard greens I've ever had.  Without question the best meal of the whole trip. Can't wait to go back. Food A+, Service - A, Charm - A

Countryside BBQ, 2070 Rutherford, Marion.  This is a tough one. I went in planning to really like it.  It's obviously the place to lunch in Marion. Pretty typical with lots of booths and tables, lots of local business people, travelers, and cops.  President Obama even ate there. Lunch special of the day was pot roast - which looked good, and should have been my clue. And in truth, the food was OK. Sandwich was good, but uninspired, and not up to the online ratings.  Next time through the area, I'll go back to Bar-B-Que Hut. Food - B; Service - B; Charm C

Herb's Pit BBQ 15735 US-74, Murphy.  Another joint listed in the travel rags as 'best bbq'.  And it was good, but not 'best' in my mind.  Pretty pedestrian slaw and sauce.  Good meat, lots of it.  It's a family place, and was plenty busy on a Friday night.  Food - B; Service - B+

Moe's Original BBQ, 4 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville.  It's.a.chain...  I hate chains.  I'll make an exception for Subway on the road, but I hate chains.  And when I realized I'd been sent to a chain, I was prepared for the worst.  Instead, we got fresh buns, really good meat, slaw, sauce and sides.  They really push the fact that they are "Alabama BBQ".  I am still a little in shock that it's a chain.  Food - A-; Service - B+; Charm - surprisingly B