The Best Barbecue Near Poole's, by the Record

Whole hog over burning embers, chopped, and finished with a vinegar sauce sharp enough to cut the richness: this is Eastern North Carolina barbecue done the old way, at a downtown Raleigh counter-service spot that earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The family even brews the beer on tap. Expect a line on busy days, and plan to eat in, because the room has a friendliness that takeout can't package.

1. Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand

The smoke hits you half a block away, which is essentially the menu preview. This North Carolina barbecue spot occupies a converted warehouse in Raleigh's Warehouse District, and it runs deeper than a typical pit stop: chopped pork is the anchor, but ribs, smoked sausage, catfish, and shrimp make the combo decision genuinely difficult. Cornbread with seasonal butter starts things off, and carrot cake is the right ending.

1. Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant

A Texas pitmaster who traded the Lone Star State for North Carolina opened this barbecue spot just east of Raleigh, and the brisket draws a line before the doors open. Order by weight or go the meat-and-two route with sides. Saturday's chopped whole hog lechon is the day's main event. It holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a James Beard semifinalist nod. When they're out, they're done, so sleeping in is not the move.

1. Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
2. James Beard Awards 2025 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Southeast · Christopher Prieto

A BBQ trailer parked on a working farm outside Cary, open only Thursday through Saturday, which is either an inconvenience or a reason to plan your whole week around it. Brothers run the pit, selling smoked brisket and ribs by the weight at picnic tables. The house-made sausages quietly compete with the brisket for your attention. Come with patience for the queue and a backup plan if it rains.

1. Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant