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6 local-approved barbecue joints in Winston-Salem

Craving brisket, beans, and fried chicken? These tried and true Winston-Salem barbecue spots have you covered.

A tray filled with hush puppies, shredded barbecue, red slaw, and fried okra.

Chopped pork barbecue and all the fried things from Little Richard’s? Yes, please.

Photo by @wigstheone

Table of Contents

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

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