Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Raleigh, according to Yelp
Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.
The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.
As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.
No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Raleigh using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
#22. Dickey's Barbecue Pit
- Rating: 3.0/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6552 Glenwood Ave Raleigh, NC 27612
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional), Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#21. LongHorn Steakhouse
- Rating: 3.0/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8121 Brier Creek Pkwy Raleigh, NC 27617
- Categories: Steakhouses, American (Traditional), Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
- Rating: 3.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7911 Fayetteville Rd. Raleigh, NC 27603
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Shop, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ - Raleigh
- Rating: 3.5/5 (5 reviews)
- Address: 1028 Oberlin Road Suite 248 The Shoppes at Oberlin Court Raleigh, NC 27605
- Categories: Barbecue, Hot Dogs, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Shane's Rib Shack
- Rating: 3.5/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5811 Poyner Village Parkway Bldg 101, Ste J1 Raleigh, NC 27616
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#17. City Barbeque
- Rating: 3.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 4122 Lake Boone Trl Raleigh, NC 27607
- Categories: Barbecue, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
- Rating: 3.5/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: 3105 Capital Blvd Raleigh, NC 27604
- Categories: Korean, Hot Pot, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#15. 716ers Food
- Rating: 4.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Address: 7821 Alexander Promenade Pl Raleigh, NC 27617
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#14. The Pit
- Rating: 4.0/5 (3374 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 328 W Davie St Raleigh, NC 27601
- Categories: Barbecue, American (Traditional), Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Clyde Cooper's Barbecue
- Rating: 4.0/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 327 S Wilmington St Raleigh, NC 27601
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#12. City Barbeque
- Rating: 4.0/5 (273 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 9424 Falls Of Neuse Rd Ste 108 Raleigh, NC 27615
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Chick-N-Que
- Rating: 4.0/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Raleigh, NC 27571
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Sam Jones BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (173 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 502 W Lenoir St Raleigh, NC 27601
- Categories: Barbecue, Tapas/Small Plates, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The BBQ Lab
- Rating: 4.0/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 4120 Main At North Hills St Raleigh, NC 27609
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Ole Time Barbecue
- Rating: 4.0/5 (397 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6309 Hillsborough St Raleigh, NC 27606
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ - Food Truck
- Rating: 4.0/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: Raleigh, NC 27605
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#6. The Mac House
- Rating: 4.0/5 (197 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 14460 Falls Of Neuse Rd Ste 167 Raleigh, NC 27614
- Categories: Barbecue, Mediterranean, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Midwood Smokehouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 409 W Johnson St Raleigh, NC 27603
- Categories: Barbecue, Smokehouse, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp
#4. BBQ Proper
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 1414 S Saunders St Raleigh, NC 27603
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Ktown Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6014 Duraleigh Rd Ste A Raleigh, NC 27612
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Lechón Latín BBQ Joint
- Rating: 4.5/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5959 Triangle Town Blvd Ste 2121 Raleigh, NC 27616
- Categories: Latin American, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Chop Shop BBQ & Grill
- Rating: 5.0/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 210 E Six Forks Rd Raleigh, NC 27609
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
