Newbie planning a trip to North Carolina

[griffida97]

Hi all-my name's Dave and I'm based in the UK. I use two smokers a Bradley electric and Landmann Smokey Mountain (gas). I've had some success with pulled pork, brisket, duck and pheasant and now I planning a trip to NC in Jan with a mate to spend a week immersing myself in classic 'cue culture. I'm planning to spend time in Charlotte, Raleigh and Lexington and was hoping to get some tips on restaurants to try out.Also was hoping to find someone who could maybe give us a 1 day course/masterclass while we're over. All suggestions/thoughts welcome!

 

[joe black]

Welcome from SC, Dave. I don't know anything about a class, but I can direct you to a couple of good restaurants. In Charlotte, try Spoon's BBQ. It's a third generation place with really good NC style meat. In Lexington, try Lexington BBQ. It's been around a long time and has a really good variety of NC BBQ. As far as Raleigh is concerned, by it's very location, it should have several really good Eastern NC BBQ sites.

Good luck and enjoy your visit. I hope you find some good food.

 

[one eyed jack]

Welcome to the site Dave.  I am in NC but regret that I can't advise you on eateries.  (I am over on the coast and 4 hours away from where you are headed.  Don't get over there much at all), but wanted to welcome you to the site.

I did a quick google for BBQ / smoking classes in central NC.  I haven't studied the results but hope that it will give you some aid.

https://www.google.com/search?q=BBQ+/+smoking+classes+in+central+North+Carolina&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Well;  I can't believe that I didn't think to plug Jeff's 5 day eCourse smoking tutorial.  Check this out Dave,

http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse

 

[gixxerfrk]

Dave make sure you slide out to Concord while you are in the Charlotte area and hit The Smoke Pit. They do a little bit of everything and do it well. They do pork, chicken, and beef. They do a classic sweet sauce, a spicy sauce, mustard base, vinegar base, and Alabama white sauce. They just hit their first full year in business but at 3 months had been named best restaurant in the county.

 

[griffida97]

Thanks JoeI'll check out Spoon's in Charlotte. Lexington BBQ kept cropping up in my research so it's on the must do list. Have you heard of Mac's Speed Shop at all? Seems to get good reviews... appreciate the recommendations.One eyed Jacksome of the classes pulled up in your search also appeared in mine, but generally speaking there don't seem to be that many to choose from. Perhaps a gap in the market? I'll check out Jeff's online course.gixxerfrkhadn't considered going to Concord, but looking at the map, it doesn't seem far to go for great food! Thanks. We have a hire car so it won't be a problem getting there.

 

[joe black]

We have a Mac's here in Greenville. I've tried it once and the BBQ wasn't bad, but not great. It was more like a sports bar IMO.

 

[HalfSmoked]

To SMF Lexington NC is note as the BBQ Capital of NC you should of been here in October they have a fantastic BBQ Festival. There are many BBQ restaurants in Lexington most are not to expensive. If you follow any NASCAR you will know who Richard Childress is and he has a vineyard and winery and restaurant just outside Lexington. Enjoy your visit.

 

[one eyed jack]

Thanks Joe I'll check out Spoon's in Charlotte. Lexington BBQ kept cropping up in my research so it's on the must do list. Have you heard of Mac's Speed Shop at all? Seems to get good reviews... appreciate the recommendations. One eyed Jack some of the classes pulled up in your search also appeared in mine, but generally speaking there don't seem to be that many to choose from. Perhaps a gap in the market? I'll check out Jeff's online course. gixxerfrk hadn't considered going to Concord, but looking at the map, it doesn't seem far to go for great food! Thanks. We have a hire car so it won't be a problem getting there.

What you really need is to "buddy up" a "good ole boy" while your here and spend some time with him smoking in his back yard, but I realize that that is beyond the scope of short duration visits.

Enjoy your stay and I am certain that you will get a lot out of it.  I wish that I was close enough to your destination to offer a "back yard smoking session".

 

[griffida97]

That would be great One Eyed Jack...would be happy to meet up with anyone in the area if they fancy getting together smoking some meat :)

Thanks Half Smoked. I'd heard that Lexington was a bit of BBQ mecca so was keen to include a stop here. Will take a look at Richard Children's place.

 

[griffida97]

That should read Richard Childress!