The 8 best barbecue restaurants in Charlotte

North Carolina argues about barbecue as a matter of civic duty, and Charlotte sits awkwardly between the eastern whole hog tradition and the Lexington style to its west, which means the city’s best barbecue borrows from everywhere including Texas. This list ranks on the meat, notes where the sides fall short, and includes one place an hour outside the city because leaving it off would be dishonest. Hours are current as of this writing.

1. Jon G’s Barbecue

Garren and Kelly Kirkman’s Texas style pit in Peachland, an hour east down Highway 74, open one day a week and the highest rated barbecue in the region. Brisket, beef ribs big enough to share, bacon burnt ends and sausage with real snap. The line starts at dawn and becomes its own tailgate, with folding chairs, free water, a limited free beer and a breakfast service of brisket tacos and kolaches while you wait. Arrive by nine for a noon plate. Sides get mixed reviews; nobody argues about the meat.

Hours: Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday to Friday

Address: 116 Glenn Falls St, Peachland, NC 28133

Why it made the list

• The best barbecue within two hours of Charlotte.
• Beef ribs and bacon burnt ends.
• A line worth planning for.
• One day a week, and it sells out.

Directory listing: Jon G’s Barbecue

2. The Improper Pig

The highest rated barbecue inside the city, in a converted Central Avenue service station in Plaza Midwood with a second location in Blakeney. Carolina barbecue crossed with Asian flavors: barbecue fried rice, improper nachos on house made chips, pork rolls, a mac and cheese burger, hushpuppies with honey butter. A big patio in a social district, a spicy margarita that beats some cocktail bars, and sides good enough that vegetarians agree to come.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 1600 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Why it made the list

• A genuinely different barbecue menu.
• The patio.
• Works for a mixed table.
• Open daily and late on weekends.

Directory listing: The Improper Pig

3. The Smoke Pit

The south Charlotte outpost of the Concord institution, with table service instead of the counter area and portions that send most people home with a second dinner. Brisket that surprises, Alabama chicken with white sauce, burnt ends, a Texas Trio and sweet potato casserole among the sides, plus a cornbread chunk and a complimentary cobbler. Servers bring samples if you cannot decide.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday

Address: 8136 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

Why it made the list

• Table service and huge plates.
• Brisket and burnt ends.
• Free cobbler.
• The Concord original is on our Concord guide.

Directory listing: The Smoke Pit

4. Noble Smoke

Jim Noble’s barbecue house on Freedom Drive, a large handsome room with a bar and a wood pile out front that scents the whole parking lot. The sampler platter is the way in, with sausage and ribs leading, plus brisket, smoked wings, hush puppies, fried broccoli and a smash burger. Carolina vinegar sauces first, which locals love and Texans debate. The most serious barbecue near the airport.

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Address: 2216 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208

Why it made the list

• An upscale room that still smells like a pit.
• The sampler platter.
• Minutes from the airport.
• Strong bar and service.

Directory listing: Noble Smoke

5. Midwood Smokehouse

The most reviewed barbecue in Charlotte, from Frank Scibelli’s group, with the Plaza Midwood original on Central Avenue and locations in Park Road, Ballantyne and beyond. Burnt ends are the item, singled out in review after review, with St. Louis ribs, brisket half moist and half lean, and smoked wings on a sizzling skillet. Servers know the gluten free menu cold. Eastern North Carolina purists rate the pork good rather than great.

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Address: 1401 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Why it made the list

• Burnt ends worth the trip.
• Several locations.
• Reliable for a group.
• Knowledgeable about allergies.

Directory listing: Midwood Smokehouse

6. McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon

The packed barbecue saloon on Old Pineville Road where the owner works the tables and the smoked wings get ordered as often as the barbecue. Double grilled wings in Thai chili, Barbalo, calypso and teriyaki barbecue, pecan smoked pork left unsauced, ribs, roast, collards, fried squash and a homemade coconut pie. Two table sauces, sweet and smoky or Carolina vinegar. The LTD plate feeds two.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday noon to 7 p.m.

Address: 4630 Old Pineville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Why it made the list

• Wings as good as the barbecue.
• Pecan smoked pork.
• A real saloon atmosphere.
• Late Friday and Saturday.

Directory listing: McKoy’s Smokehouse and Saloon

7. Sweet Lew’s BBQ

Lewis Donald’s Belmont neighborhood restaurant, now with a full bar and a whiskey list that turned it from a takeout stop into a place to stay for the evening. Chopped pork with a real smoke line, brisket, ribs, half chicken, pimento cheese with baked crackers, Brunswick stew, collards and a Cheerwine slushie. Eastern North Carolina natives sign off on the pork and the collards. The mac and cheese divides the room.

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Why it made the list

• Chopped pork and Brunswick stew.
• A bourbon list worth staying for.
• Open seven days.
• Close to Uptown.

Directory listing: Sweet Lew’s BBQ

8. Mac’s Speed Shop

The barbecue and beer hall on South Boulevard with a long draft list, a motorcycle friendly patio, live music and a menu wide enough for a table where only one person wants barbecue. Burnt ends, jalapeño and cheese sausage, barbecue egg rolls and banana pudding. Sides get mixed reviews and prices have climbed; the meat, the beer and the noise are the reasons to come.

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

Address: 2511 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Why it made the list

• Barbecue with a real beer program.
• A patio and live music.
• Open late.
• Something for everyone at the table.

Directory listing: Mac’s Speed Shop

Also worth knowing

The original Smoke Pit on Concord Parkway is counter service, usually has a line and appears in our Concord guide. If your pit is missing from this list, tell us.