City Consensus · Raleigh–Durham
BBQ in Raleigh–Durham
Community consensus
The consensus is still forming.
Top Tier Editorial has a take on BBQ in Raleigh–Durham below. The community ranking opens up once a few locals have weighed in.
Top 4 BBQ in the Triangle
The Triangle's BBQ picks — whole-hog Eastern NC, Texas-style brisket, and modern smokehouses. Cross-referenced from The News & Observer's Top 20 Triangle BBQ ranking and Indy Week's 2025 Best of the Triangle.
- #1
Prime Barbecue
Knightdale
“The N&O's #1 Triangle BBQ — James Beard semifinalist Christopher Prieto's Texas-style brisket and mahogany ribs, plus Saturday whole hog with mojo and cracklins.”
- #2
Sam Jones BBQ
Downtown Raleigh
“The N&O's #2 — third-generation whole-hog pitmaster hand-chopping Eastern NC style, also on the paper's Top 50 Triangle list.”
- #3
Longleaf Swine
Downtown Raleigh
“Indy Week's 2025 Best of Wake BBQ winner — downtown whole-hog specialist delivering authentic Carolina barbecue in a modern room.”
- #4
THE ORIGINAL Q SHACK
Durham
“Indy Week's 2025 Best of Durham BBQ winner — longtime Triangle favorite and the Durham County readers' pick.”