North Carolina Barbeque Ranked 6th Best In Nation BUT Should Be Higher
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So, under the “Who Knew?” category, today (August 31) is “National Eat Outside Day.” No surprise this coincides with the Labor Day holiday weekend. This is perhaps summer’s last gasp in terms of outdoor barbeque cookouts. And when it comes to barbeque, it also is no surprise to find that North Carolina has been named the number six destination in America for barbeque.
EmpireStakes.com recently took an analytical approach to this determination. Factors considered for ranking inlcuded: BBQ searches, Government Survey, BBQ Index, and BBQ Food Index. These factors comprised four individually weighted metrics, collectively totaling 100.
So far, so good. I’m with you. You’ve got the Tar Heel State ranked 6th. As a native Texan who’s lived here for more than 17 years, I’m a lifelong barbecue snob who recognizes and acknowledges great barbecue. Texas is ranked first, btw.
NOW, as you look further at the survey, you begin to feel the need to scratch your head. Between Texas and North Carolina in the rankings are, in order: California, New York, Florida, and New Jersey. WHAT?! You have GOT to be kidding me. Never, and I mean NEVER in any barbeque conversation/argument in the history of eating has anyone said, “Oh man, you MUST have those ribs from New Jersey.” No one has ever stated, “The pulled pork in Manhattan just can’t be beat.” And don’t even get me started arguing the merits (or more specifically, the lack thereof) of CALIFORNIA barbeque?!
I mean give me a break. And South Carolina is ranked 32nd? Look, I get it. EmpireStakes.com is a New York based site, but c’mon. As much as I say thanks for justifiably ranking North Carolina barbeque 6th in the nation, IT DEFINITELY deserves a much higher spot on the list. Which you can see here.
Here Are The Eight Best Barbecue Places In North Carolina
These could be fighting words. People around here are passionate about their barbecue. Here are the seven best barbecue places in North Carolina. I am from Shelby, North Carolina originally and we pride ourselves on some pretty good barbecue in the area. When we say barbecue around these parts, we do not mean grilling out. We mean that slow-cooked pork, chicken, or beef that could take days to perfect. Add some slaw please and don’t forget the hushpuppies. Barbecue places get extra points for the perfect sweet tea.
Before deciding to make this list, I had to check in to see if one of my favorites is on here. And it is. Only in Your State poured over countless reviews and scores to come up with the best barbecue places in North Carolina. There is always the Eastern versus Western North Carolina factor. It is a matter of taste between vinegar-based and tomato-based barbecue. What makes a good barbecue? I asked for a definition and this is what Google told me, ‘What makes good BBQ? I consider successful barbecue to be the combination of seven basic characteristics happening at once: tenderness, juiciness, smokiness, proper fat rendering, enhanced rub, good exterior bark, all with a firm texture.”
For more information on the best BBQ places in North Carolina, check out the full list in Only In Your State right here.
Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.