Charlotte Magazine – July 2019

JUNE 2019 // CHARLOTTE 69

RED BRIDGES BARBECUE LODGE

Reason to visit: parquet-style ceilings, vintage booths, and

hickory-smoked pork cooked all night long

2000 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby; 704-482-8567; bridgesbbq.com

BBQ KING

Reason to visit: counter-serve restaurant where your orders

are hollered out

2613 E. Main St., Lincolnton; 704-735-1112; barbqkingnc.com

BILL SPOON’S BARBECUE

Reason to visit: pork sandwiches on steamed buns with

slaw, made-from-scratch hushpuppies, and Mr. Spoon’s

vinegar-based sauce

5524 South Blvd., 704-525-8865, spoonsbarbecue.com

GARY’S BARBECUE

Reason to visit: colossal pulled pork sandwiches, free

Cheerwine refills, and restored antique cars on display

620 U.S. 29, China Grove; 704-857-8314

LANCASTER’S BBQ

Reason to visit: live music, arcade games, and NASCAR

memorabilia

Multiple locations, lancastersbbq.com

COURTNEY’S BBQ

Reason to visit: communal tables for devouring ribs,

chicken, and seafood, and owner Gene Courtney’s “mango

bango” sauce

1166 State Hwy. 55 E., Clover, S.C.;

803-222-5900; courtneysbbq.com

THE SMOKE PIT

Reason to visit: hickory-smoked pork served on lunch trays

with cornbread or Texas toast

Multiple locations, thesmokepitnc.com

SAUCEMAN’S

Reason to visit: the “pitmaster experience” platter that’s

enough for two people, with your choice of four meats,

four sides, and four hushpuppies

228 West Blvd., 704-333-7070, saucemans.com

MAC’S SPEED SHOP

Reason to visit: beer, bikes, and barbecue (duh)

Multiple locations, macspeedshop.com

MIDWOOD SMOKEHOUSE

Reason to visit: pitmaster Matt Barry’s burnt ends with a

side of slaw and collards, and pecan cobbler with a scoop

of vanilla ice cream

Multiple locations, midwoodsmokehouse.com

QUEEN CITY Q

Reason to visit: sauces in whatever style you like and

hushpuppies with a side of honey butter

225 E. 6th St., 980-272-6341, queencityq.com

SWEET LEW’S BBQ

Reason to visit: Lexington-style chopped and pulled pork,

smoked chicken brined with dry rub and pickle juice,

Carolina boiled potatoes, and Southern boiled peanuts

923 Belmont Ave., 980-224-7584, sweetlewsbbq.com

THE IMPROPER PIG

Reason to visit: eastern-style pulled pork, St. Louis-style

ribs, Korean BBQ salmon, Chaobao tacos, and a “no pig”

sandwich for vegetarians

Multiple locations, theimproperpig.com

13 Local Barbecue Joints

You don’t have to go far to get good barbecue. Here are some options within 40 miles of uptown

The walls at Gary’s Barbecue are covered in vintage

signs and memorabilia (le—). Its banana pudding

(above) is a customer favorite.