OT - Best BBQ in Charlotte, NC

andr3011

My wife & I are traveling to Charlotte this weekend for a wedding, she is tied up with wedding events, and I am looking to sample some Charlotte Que.  We live in KC so I am familiar with good BBQ.  Looking for some good spots only the locals know about!!  Thanks in Advance!!

tarheelmatt

Well, for Q, there's not a lot in the Queen City.   Maybe Saucemans.  

Skip the Q and go to Cajun Queen.  If you want some great tacos, go to Cabo Taco.  They were featured on Triple D.  

bgebrent

tarheelmatt said:

Well, for Q, there's not a lot in the Queen City.   Maybe Saucemans.  

Skip the Q and go to Cajun Queen.  If you want some great tacos, go to Cabo Taco.  They were featured on Triple D.  

Now there's a relevant recommendation.  Welcome and enjoy the Cajun food.

DoubleEgger

tarheelmatt said:

Well, for Q, there's not a lot in the Queen City.   Maybe Saucemans.  

Skip the Q and go to Cajun Queen.  If you want some great tacos, go to Cabo Taco.  They were featured on Triple D.  

Agree. Charlotte is not a BBQ town. I second Saucemans but there are a lot better options for grub. 

DoubleEgger

Macs Speed Shop is garbage btw. 

bgebrent

DoubleEgger said:

Macs Speed Shop is garbage btw. 

And not garbage Mr. Helpful?

tarheelmatt

Mac's isn't great.  Their smoked chicken nachos was the best thing I ate there.  

The Smoke Pit in Concord and Salisbury is pretty good too. 

bgebrent

Welcome aboard brother.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

https://youtu.be/y1XfGTO2vh8

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I kid- this is the best bbq in most places here too. We have 10 good ones and 500 bad ones

DoubleEgger

I can't help it that Macs isn't good. 

northGAcock

The one place I always send people to in Charlotte is the Cajun Queen. Great food, great atmosphere.....and a all round fun place to go. If you go.....make reservations and ask for a table in the room with the band. Que in Charlotte.....I would not myself.

http://www.cajunqueen.net/

JohnnyTarheel

Cajun Queen a must....

JohnInCarolina

DoubleEgger said:

I can't help it that Macs isn't good. 

I've been a few times and don't think it's anywhere near as bad as you do.  But... tastes are subjective.

tarheelmatt

JohnInCarolina said:

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DoubleEgger said:

I can't help it that Macs isn't good. 

I've been a few times and don't think it's anywhere near as bad as you do.  But... tastes are subjective.

Their brisket was meh.  The sides were good, pork was good, and the sausage was good.  Their smoked chicken nachos were my fav though.  It wasn't terrible for me.

Choice between Cabo Taco and Mac's?  Cabo Taco every time.   

JohnInCarolina

tarheelmatt said:

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JohnInCarolina said:

DoubleEgger said:

I can't help it that Macs isn't good. 

I've been a few times and don't think it's anywhere near as bad as you do.  But... tastes are subjective.

Their brisket was meh.  The sides were good, pork was good, and the sausage was good.  Their smoked chicken nachos were my fav though.  It wasn't terrible for me.

Choice between Cabo Taco and Mac's?  Cabo Taco every time.   

Well that's a different story completely.  No argument there.   

I tried Mac's brisket.  It's very different, but smothered in sauce which is generally not a good sign.  I think they slice it and then sauce it and throw it back on the grill or something.  

bucky925

Now when you leave, if the direction is North, stop by Lexington BBQ (honey monk's).  

cbmontgo

521 BBBQ, just south of Charlotte

Carolina Q

I lived in Charlotte briefly back in the 70s. No good Q to be had then either. There was a place way out N Tryon (I think) that was the best I found. No idea what the name was. Wasn't that great anyhow.

Inlaws lived there so many visits over the years until they passed. Still no good Q. It always surprised me that a city that size had nuthin! Apparently, it still doesn't. Oh, and don't go to Sonny's. I did. Once.

Too bad the Epicurean is gone. Not Q, but a nice upscale restaurant. And worth it just for the biscuits! I'd make biscuits every day if I had THAT recipe!!

northGAcock

Wife worked at the Epicurean many years ago. Sonny's....you got that right.

Carolina Q

northGAcock said:

Wife worked at the Epicurean many years ago. Sonny's....you got that right.

@northGAcock, Hmm, I don't suppose your wife has the recipe for those biscuits does she??

NC_Egghead

I live in CLT and agree with all of the above; no good Que to be had here. There are a lot of BBQ joints but they all try too hard. If you want really good Carolina Que, you must go east, about 4 hours. If you do go to Cabo in NODA (North Davidson Street), a must stop is Amalie's bakery. The one up there in N Charlotte is open 24-7. You won't be disappointed, just be sure to leave some room when ordering dinner. It also wouldn't be a bad drive from Cajun Queen on 7th St. I hope you enjoy your time in our fair city. 

Teefus

I've heard the Dixie Pig in Rock Hill is good. I was down there last week and we were going to give it a try but life got in the way. My coworkers down there tell me the Pig does ribs right.

northGAcock

Carolina Q said:

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northGAcock said:

Wife worked at the Epicurean many years ago. Sonny's....you got that right.

@northGAcock, Hmm, I don't suppose your wife has the recipe for those biscuits does she??

Not a chance but she does do the baking here at our house. She was part of the wait staff. 

Carolina Q

northGAcock said:

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Carolina Q said:

northGAcock said:

Wife worked at the Epicurean many years ago. Sonny's....you got that right.

@northGAcock, Hmm, I don't suppose your wife has the recipe for those biscuits does she??

Not a chance but she does do the baking here at our house. She was part of the wait staff. 

@northGAcock, oh well. Knew it was a long shot. Istr that the biscuits were made by the owner's wife. Here's an article that might interest your wife...

https://www.charlotteagenda.com/22186/the-long-story-behind-that-empty-lot-on-east-boulevard/