While the 2020 pandemic was hardly a good thing for the planet, there were a couple of good things that came out of it! One of my positive memories is hitting up some pop-ups for Lawrence Barbecue and chowing down on their great smoked meats and ribs during this trying period. And over time, they did finally open up a bricks and mortar at the Boxyard in RTP but it was tough for me given there was no indoor seating. So I was pretty excited to get the news in 2024, that they would be opening a larger storefront in the booming downtown Cary area, woo-hoo! And while it took a bit of time to get the space ready, I’ve had a chance to visit several times for meals and it was totally worth the wait. Here’s what to expect when you visit!
Lawrence Barbecue, Cary – Location, Interior
As a long-time Triangle resident, I’ve been pretty amazed at how Cary has evolved from sleepy little suburb to its own unique city and food scene. Downtown Cary has been booming with construction and cool restaurants so I wasn’t entirely surprised to hear Lawrence BBQ would be moving into a purpose-built space on Cedar Ave. Mirroring the main strip on Chatham Street, Cedar Street was usually a bit quieter but not any more. Lawrence BBQ sits in a classic white brick building that lay dormant for a while before pitmaster Jake Wood identified it as his new home. The space works perfectly for a modern que joint: rocking chairs up front with galvanized steel tanks on the perimeter of the patio area.
Inside Lawrence the dining space is a mix of practical and modern. The neutral concrete floors and plywood wall coverings are offset with turquoise paint and lacquered white metal chairs. There’s a condiment area to the back and a roll of paper towels at each table, an old-school barbecue joint touch. Bare plywood panels ring the dining room giving the space a utilitarian, bare-bones feel. I imagine they’ll continue to spruce up the place over time with more interesting decor.
Lawrence Barbecue, Cary – Menu, Food
But it’s all about the food, amirite? And Lawrence Barbecue brings a refreshed take on the traditional barbecue menu. You’ll find all the standard smoked meats (brisket, pork, turkey, spare ribs, chicken) and Southern sides (cole slaw, fries, beans, collards, mac n cheese, potato salad) but with some nouveau twists and additions. The addition of raw oysters, tacos, tortas, and chicken sandwiches means you’ve got a lot more to choose from, helpful if you’ve got a large party or kids that are picky.
To start off, how about some surf and turf appetizers? Start off with some delicious grilled oysters with barbeque butter, cotija cheese and BBQ butter, dee-lish! A more traditional appetizer would be their classic smoked wings, available in hot honey, beef fat caramel, guajillo-soy, and five more flavors. As you can tell, the menu gives you plenty of options and gets pretty adventurous for a barbecue joint!
Moving on to the smoked meats, I’m a fan of Lawrence Barbecue’s brisket and ribs. The ribs in particular are meaty, juicy and coated with a delicious glaze, highly recommend. Also a big thumbs up for their carnitas pork, which features another bit of Mexican influence in the diverse menu. The mac n cheese comes with crumble potato chips on top while the beans feature a bit of parsley and onion. The happy surprise side for me was their collards which are perfectly braised and served in a sumptuous sauce that is ridiculously good. Overall I find most everything on the menu spun up a bit with maximum flavor. And of course with most orders, you’ll get some pickles along with a classic slice of white bread or rolls, Texas style.
A less traditional meal option is the brisket birria tacos! Think grilled taco stuffed full of meat and cheese with a consomme for dipping on the side. Lawrence Barbecue also offers some duritos with their taco plates, light, airy and crunchy snacks made in funny little shapes.
Lawrence Barbecue, Cary – Service, Conclusion
Lawrence Barbecue is still finding its footing but service has been quite good during my three visits! I’ve eaten mostly at the bar, their team service brings the food up quickly even during busy periods. And overall I can tell you I’m quite impressed with what Lawrence Barbecue is putting out. I’ve been here from the first week they opened in September 2025 and recently visited in early 2026. I’ve seen adjustments and improvements made in the menu over time adding quite a bit of culinary flair over time.
Lawrence stays true to its core smoked meats offerings but gets a bit fun and creative beyond that. The seafood, Mexican influences and playful touches make for a delicious and unconventional take on the classic barbecue menu. And their quirky decor reflects those inclinations for unconventionality. I take my que pretty seriously and Lawrence Barbecue is doing a great job here for the Triangle, they’re in the top Tier for me right now. Stop on by for some smoked meat deliciousness the next time you’re spending time in downtown Cary!
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