Where to Find Charlotte’s Best Barbecue

Whether you prefer whole hog or pork shoulder, burnt ends or brisket or maybe some smoked wings with a few racks of ribs in between, this list of Charlotte-area barbecue joints is sure to fire up your craving for stellar local ‘cue.

Big Tiny’s BBQ

Area: Mooresville

After 25 years in racing, Texas-native John Maddox decided to hang up his helmet and become a pitmaster, specializing in mesquite-style smoked meats showcased in dishes like the chopped brisket sandwich. John and his wife, Elizabeth, opened Big Tiny’s, named after their late dog, Tiny, and serve up what’s been dubbed “dog gone good BBQ.”

Blue Bar & Smokehouse

Area: Fort Mill, S.C.

This local, fast-casual barbecue joint is all about the smoke: smoked wings with eight sauces to choose from, smoked brisket, smoked pork, smoked chicken and more. Joining the region’s barbecue lineup in late 2020, Blue Bar & Smokehouse serves up fresh barbecue, a full bar, live music and Southern hospitality.

Bobbee O’s BBQ

Area: North Charlotte

Bob Roberts has spent years perfecting his barbecue and homemade sauce techniques. While you can’t go wrong with any of the choices at Bobbee O’s BBQ, the pulled pork is the most popular because it truly puts the spotlight on the sauce. The restaurant’s slogan is even, “it’s all in the sauce!”

The Improper Pig

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, South Charlotte, Fort Mill, S.C.

Leave your regional barbecue debates at the door and become a barbecue explorer at The Improper Pig. The menu features Asian-inspired barbecue dishes, like Southern-style egg rolls, Chow Bao Sliders with barbecue meat, Asian slaw and hoisin sauce and even the vegetarian No Pig Sandwich made with a hickory wood-grilled portobello mushroom.

Jake's

Area: Concord

Robert “Bob” Critz and Rob Emore share a love for true eastern North Carolina-style, vinegar-based barbecue. Formerly R&R Bar-B-Que, the restaurant was renamed Jake's in honor of Critz's late son. Even with a new name, the restaurant continues to serve up Eastern-style ‘cue with all the fixins.

Jon G’s Barbecue

Area: Peachland

Plan for a Saturday barbecue excursion to Jon G’s Barbecue, located about an hour outside of Charlotte in Peachland. Jon G’s is best known for its Texas-inspired ‘cue, such as slow-smoked brisket served with all the fixins. Skip the drive and track down Jon G’s food truck at breweries around Charlotte.

Kyle Fletcher’s BBQ & Catering

Area: Gastonia

Nestled in Gastonia, Kyle Fletcher’s BBQ & Catering serves juicy, western North Carolina-style pork and other favorites like fried bologna sandwiches and crispy onion rings. Kyle Fletcher’s regularly wins Best of Gaston awards and, if you’re a North Carolina Tar Heels basketball fan, you’ll love their interior decked out in memorabilia.

Mac’s Speed Shop

Neighborhood: South End, Steele Creek, Matthews, Cornelius and Concord

Mac’s Speed Shop serves smoky pulled pork, dry-rubbed beef brisket and a menu full of distinctive Southern fare. Pair your pulled pork with a cold craft beer. This homegrown chain boasts more than 60 beers on tap and even sponsors a beer club.

McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon

Neighborhood: Lower South End

McKoy’s Smokehouse & Saloon is a true family operation. The moniker pays homage to McKoy Register, father of co-owner Namon and grandfather of co-owners Ryan and Jim. The spot serves up award-winning St. Louis-style ribs, smokehouse wings and other barbecue mainstays with a side of service that makes you feel like family.

Midwood Smokehouse

Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, Montford, Huntersville and Ballantyne

Restaurateur Frank Scibelli and pitmaster Matt Barry toured and worked alongside barbecue joints throughout Texas, Kansas City and the Carolinas before debuting the popular concept, Midwood Smokehouse, in Charlotte. The culinary team attended a professional brisket school to perfect the restaurant’s Texas-style brisket and burnt ends.

Noble Smoke

Neighborhood: Wesley Heights, Optimist Park

Noble Smoke is a dream come to life, for more than 25 years, for longtime restaurateur Jim Noble. Noble Smoke pays tribute to the pitmaster legends that inspired him and his love of smoked meat. Try the chopped Cheshire pork with either Western- or Eastern-style slaw.

Hickory & Heart

Area: South Charlotte

If you’re on a mission for pork in a pinch, look no further than Hickory & Heart, a fast-casual go-to previously known as The Q Shack. This barbecue joint satisfies your ‘cue cravings with its popular hickory-smoked pulled pork sandwich or chile-rubbed beef brisket.

Ray’s Country Smokehouse-Grill

Area: Gastonia

Barbecue is king at Ray’s Country Smokehouse-Grill, a Gastonia mainstay for smoked meats. Serving old-school smoked barbecue and traditional sides, the restaurant boasts plenty of pig to pair with its homemade vinegar-based sauce. You can also order one of Ray’s most praised dishes: a hearty plate of beef brisket and zesty potato salad.

RayNathan’s

Area: Gastonia

Owned by friends Stephen Carroll and Thomas Blanding, RayNathan’s is their dream of more than 20 years come to life. With a focus on hardwood-smoked meats in dishes like Stephen’s Brisket Sandwich, scratch-made sides and an old-school, Delta blues vibe, this must-try barbecue destination is all about people, pork and the popular banana pudding.

R.O.'s Bar-B-Cue

Area: Gastonia

A Gastonia institution for more than 75 years, R.O.’s Bar-B-Cue became famous for its sandwiches, sauce and slaw. Co-founder Pearl Black came up with the secret slaw recipe that’s featured on the Slaw Sandwich. Find R.O.’s mobile units around the area serving all the favorites, including pork sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, burgers and more.

The Smoke Pit

Neighborhood: South Charlotte, Concord, Monroe, Gastonia and Salisbury

Serving Texas-style barbecue in North Carolina, The Smoke Pit's Charlotte-area locations specialize in flavorful meat slow cooked for 18 hours over local hickory wood. Massive portions, tender meats and creative, scratch-made sides, like deviled egg potato salad and smoked pork barbecue beans, have garnered the restaurant a loyal following.

Sweet Lew’s BBQ

Neighborhood: Belmont, Charlotte

Sweet Lew’s transports guests back to the small Southern barbecue joints that you’d happen upon on an old country road. The menu is simple: meats slow smoked over a blend of hickory, pecan and peach woods; sides; drinks; and desserts. Order a combo platter or meat by the pound, including the smoked beef brisket.

Article originally written by Charlie Leonard. Updates by Arielle Patterson in March 2026.