Grab your fork, checkered napkin, and a pitcher of sweet tea. We’re diving into local-approved barbecue joints in Winston-Salem.
Honky Tonk Smokehouse, 145 Jonestown Rd.
Hand-rubbed, slow-cooked meats come with a plethora of side options including mac and cheese, fried okra, and six-bean salad. Bonus: The menu features gluten-free barbecue items.
Must-try menu item: The brisket — expect tender meat full of flavor.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Real Q, 4885 Country Club Rd.
Stop by for Lexington-style barbecue (think: pork shoulder + vinegar-based barbecue sauce) cooked the traditional way over wood coals. Stay a while to enjoy the charming and nostalgic decor.
Must-try menu item: The barbecue slaw, or “red slaw” — try this coleslaw variation as a side.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Pulliams Hotdogs & BBQ, 4400 Old Walkertown Rd.
Hot dogs may be the specialty of this Winston-Salem staple that’s been around since 1910, but don’t sleep on the barbecue.
Must-try menu item: The BBQ Combo — you’ll get the best of both worlds with a hot dog and barbecue sandwich.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; closed Sunday-Monday.
Camel City BBQ Factory, 701 Liberty St.
Classic barbecue mains like low-and-slow pulled pork, tender brisket, and smoked wings are served up in an entertaining atmosphere with arcade games and vintage Nintendo games at every table.
Must-try menu item: The hush puppies — luckily for you, they come as a side with every item.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Little Richard’s Bar-N-Que, 109 S. Stratford Rd.
Another Lexington-style joint featuring a large menu including Mexican-fusion mains, desserts, and baked potatoes done all the ways. Bonus: The menu features gluten-free barbecue items.
Must-try menu item: The burnt ends — an appetizer of the burnt, barbecue-sauce drenched ends of a brisket.
Hours: Open seven days a week, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Mr. Barbecue, 1381 Peters Creek Pkwy.
Get staples like ribs, chopped barbecue, and baked beans from this 1961-established restaurant that hickory-smokes meats in traditional brick pits.
Must-try menu item: The fried chicken — grab anything from a half chicken to a 16-piece chicken.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Sunday
