Best Barbecue in the NC Triangle – Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Knightdale

If you’re a fan of NC barbecue or Texas barbecue, thankfully we’ve got a lot of great options in the Triangle now! And far beyond the traditional Eastern North Carolina barbecue that we typically get here. Check out the list below to get your smoked meat on…

The BBQ Lab in Raleigh

This classic Texas-style barbeque joint was one of the earlier entries in the Triangle. Sister restaurant to the original Redneck BBQ Lab in Benson, the BBQ Lab does an excellent job across its smoked meats. From ribs, brisket, burnt ends, the proteins are delicious. And as a bonus, the Southern sides are also excellent here. Don’t miss the jalapeno mac n cheese or the barbecue baked beans!

Dampf Good BBQ in Cary

A newer contender on the NC Triangle barbecue scene is Dampf Good BBQ! Located in the spacious Phillips Farm, Dampf does things differently. Serving up their smoked meats from a trailer and the smokers nearby, it’s the real deal when it comes to Texas-style barbeque and it shows. Don’t miss the brisket or their meat candy (smoked pork belly). Love the smoky flavors in their food, just be prepared to eat outdoors and bring it back home!

East of Texas in Durham

It was great to see East of Texas land in Durham to raise the bar on the Bull City’s barbecue game! Known for its Tex-Mex cuisine, East of Texas offers one of the largest menus in this category. From breakfast tacos, to flautas, empanadas, and much more, East of Texas offers large portions of delicious smoked meats in every form imaginable. Grab a beer and sit outside on the ATC sidewalk to enjoy your meal. There’s always something going on at this fun and convenient location in downtown Durham!

Lawrence BBQ in Cary

Downtown Cary has been on a roll lately when it comes to restaurants and dining. The addition of Lawrence Barbecue brings a quirky and refreshed take to cue. The menu is broad, covering oysters, tacos, and tortas in addition to the classic smoked meats. Their convenient location on Cedar Avenue means parking is plentiful and right next door, don’t sleep on Lawrence Barbecue!

The Pig in Chapel Hill

This long-time barbecue favorite in Chapel Hill does things a bit differently. From the humanely farmed pork to the mustard-based slaw, what the Pig does do well is pork, plain and simple. Well smoked and shredded, it’s more of a pulled pork style presentation. Portions are large and don’t miss out on their awesome hushpuppies, which are substantial and deliciously crunchy.

Prime Barbecue in Knightdale

If you’re looking for the BEST barbecue and smoked meats in the Triangle, most people will point to Prime BBQ for that superlative. And given Prime is recognized as a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand selection, I’d have to agree. Think traditional Texas-style barbeque: Brisket, snappy sausage, barbeque rice, and much more. Pitmaster Christopher Prieto brings a simple excellence to his menu and it shows across the meats and sides. Just be aware that you’ll likely find a line here in the sleepy town of Knightdale given how popular it is.

Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh

Classic Eastern NC barbecue is amazing when it’s done right, and Sam Jones BBQ does it very right! With roots back to the classic Skylight BBQ Inn, Pitmaster Sam Jones treats whole-hog with a lot of respect, smoking the meat over oak. And beyond the barbecue, there are excellent pork ribs, smoked chicken, and sides. Just be careful with the cornbread, which is actually more like corn pone: dense, grainy, and not so sweet. Most people prefer their sweet potato muffin here as a side.

Now I know that it’s hard to go wrong with any smoked meats, but I think the Triangle has done a great job in upping its barbecue game over the past five years. What used to be a limited set of options focused on NC barbecue and bland sides has really blossomed into a competitive and tasty situation for local diners. Don’t miss out on this slow-smoked deliciousness at one of the BEST barbecue joints on this list. Bon appetit!