Best BBQ in Raleigh, NC: 7 Smokehouses, Ranked
Clyde Cooper's BBQ has operated since 1938. This guide covers ranked barbecue joints in Raleigh. The Pit Authentic Barbecue serves whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. Longleaf Swine smokes over oak. Rankings follow how many independent local roundups list each joint - tie-broken by verified fact count - and every listing is checked against the joint's own published information.
The ranking
Clyde Cooper S Bbq
Clyde Cooper's BBQ, at 1326 East Millbrook Road in Raleigh, has operated since 1938. The menu includes brisket, ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, and chicken. Chopped BBQ pork is $12.75, beef brisket is $17.00, and burnt ends are $18.00. The Mr. Cooper combines chopped pork, chopped chicken, brisket, and slaw for $12.00. The restaurant sells out of items daily.
Ole Time Barbecue
Ole Time Barbecue, at 6309 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, has been open since 1993. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Menu items include St. Louis-style ribs, chicken, and sides. A BBQ pork plate is $12.99 regular and $14.99 large. Barbecue is served from 10:00 AM until the restaurant sells out.
The Pit Authentic Barbecue
The Pit Authentic Barbecue, at 328 W Davie Street in Raleigh, serves whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. Greg Hatem is the pitmaster and owner. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Friday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Longleaf Swine
Longleaf Swine, at 300 E Edenton Street in Raleigh, is closed Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Meat is slow-smoked over oak in wood-fired smokers. The menu includes brisket at $21, pulled pork at $16, spare ribs at $21, and half chicken at $19. The Pigpen serves 4-6 people for $90. Some items may sell out.
Prime Barbecue
Prime Barbecue, at 403 Knightdale Station Run in Knightdale, serves smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, and turkey. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until sell out. By the half pound, brisket is $19, ribs are $12, pulled pork is $11, and turkey breast is $14. House-made sausage is $8 per link.
Sam Jones Bbq
Sam Jones BBQ opened in 2015 and serves whole-hog barbecue from a wood-fired pit. The pitmaster, Sam, was named one of the top 10 pitmasters in the South in 2012. Whole-hog BBQ is the signature item, cooked slow over a wood-fueled pit.
The Bbq Lab
The BBQ Lab was founded in January 2017 by Jerry L. Stephenson, Jr. and a college buddy. It is closed Monday and open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Meats go on the smokers many hours before they are served, and when an item is gone, it is gone.
FAQ
What style of BBQ is Raleigh known for?
Styles in this guide include whole-hog, brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken. The Pit Authentic Barbecue serves whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. Sam Jones BBQ cooks whole hog over a wood-fired pit. Longleaf Swine serves brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken.
What time do popular Raleigh BBQ joints sell out?
Ole Time Barbecue serves from 10:00 AM until it sells out. Prime Barbecue is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until sell out. Clyde Cooper's BBQ sells out of items daily. Longleaf Swine warns some items may sell out. The BBQ Lab serves until items are gone.
Which Raleigh BBQ joints are open on Sunday?
Clyde Cooper's BBQ is open Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Pit Authentic Barbecue is open Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Longleaf Swine is open Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The BBQ Lab is open Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Ole Time Barbecue is open Monday through Saturday only.
Which Raleigh BBQ joints smoke with oak?
Longleaf Swine slow-smokes meat over oak. The restaurant uses wood-fired smokers.