Of course, I'm talking about eastern NC barbecue -- what else is there?

I work in downtown Raleigh, and I don't think it gets any better than Clyde Cooper's. Man, that stuff is awesome. Eat it with the slaw, the pork rinds, the hush puppies and the red potatoes, and wash it down with some sweet, sweet tea, and you can call yourself a happy man all afternoon. [Andy] Mmm, mmm BOOYYY! [/Griffith]

SE Alabama barbecue isn't too bad either. We've got barbecue down here that will really make your mouth water. Next time you're en route to Panama City, FL., stop by Dothan and grab a bbq plate. You won't be disappointed!!! :wave:

the best I have had is Bill Spoon's here in Charlotte. I had Hurshey's in Burlington once and it was good. I also ate @ some other Q place in Burlington/Elon that was just this little place on the side of the road. It was a Sunday and I lived in Kansas @ the time and we were flying out. Hard to find Q on Sundays.... I wish I knew the name of this place 'cuz it was good.

On another note. In Kansas they don't have hot dog joints. I had the best hot dog dinner Friday night @ Zacks in Burlington. T'was on my way to Chapel Hill to see the Rev.Horton Heat. Who knew they put bacon on a dog?????
That hot sauce is far superior to any other I know.

'Prec the Dothan info, DawginBama. However, unless I'm spending great time in Bama, when I'm there I'm making a beeline to Dreamland in Tuscaloosa. I think I mentioned before I have family there, and once I ate there a few days prior to the NC State-Bama game when Hurricane Opal was raging outside. Wild night. But great ribs!

Gotta agree with Beo on Dreamland; far and away the best ribs I've ever had, and the hogs he uses come from good ol' North Carolina. Another good place in Bama is Bob Sykes BBQ. Granted they use that red devil's brew for the sauce, but it's still good. Only problem is that they don't serve hush puppies. Which is, of course, heresy. But at least they don't treat barbecue as a verb.

As far as eastern NC BBQ is concerned, you can't go wrong with Smithfield's, and they also have great potato salad. The BEST I've ever had is Wilber's in Goldsboro. You can just taste the smoke.

I'm not a big BBQ fan (go ahead & say some prayers for my redemption... ), but I'll put in a vote for Harold's Barbecue near the Federal Pen in Atlanta. Sauce has a little bit of a kick & their cracklin' cornbread is tasty! The neighborhood is scary, but the clientele at lunch is all wearing suits. :laugh:

As far as NC BBQ, one of my college roommates took me to the Stockyard in Siler City and her dad (who owned the place) shook his finger at me when I requested mine with no slaw. Very good BBQ though.