2 Triangle (+ 5 more NC) barbecue joints ranked among the best in the country

It’s no secret that the Triangle is home to dozens of delicious restaurants dishing out savory, saucy barbecue.

Two local fan-favorite eateries have been named among the best of the best in the country.

USA Today released a list of the top 10 standout Carolina-style barbecue spots cooking up the tastiest smoky meats with classic Southern sides. (The winners were first nominated by a panel of experts and then voted on by USA Today readers.)

The Tar Heel state takes the title for having the majority of the top-rated restaurants, including The Pig and Sam Jones BBQ.

Sam Jones BBQ (No. 2)

“Sam Jones BBQ started in 2015, with Jones following the footsteps of his grandfather Pete Jones, whose Skylight Inn BBQ joint (opened in 1947) took home a James Beard Award as an American Classic in 2003,” the report says.

“Sam branched out to chop his own path as the owner and pit master of Sam Jones BBQ. He’s still doing it traditionally, by slow-smoking a whole hog over an oak fire and serving it with cornbread. Plus, he smokes chicken and turkey, and serves catfish, too.”

As mentioned in USA Today’s report, the OG Sam Jones BBQ is in Winterville, but the third generation pit master expanded his talents to “Raleigh as he builds his own family BBQ legend” a few years later in 2018.

The menu at its Raleigh location has a wide variety of options, including small plates, smokehouse plates and sandwiches, which all come with at least one side. Prices range from $7.99 to $34.59. If you’ve got a bigger group to grub with, there is also the catering option to order family dinners, bulk meats or bulk sides.

In a culinary coincidence, Sam Jones BBQ ranked No. 2 on USA Today’s list and in The N&O food writer’s top picks of the 20 best barbecue joints in the Triangle.

Similarly, The Pig in Chapel Hill also sits at No. 9 in USA Today and in reporter Drew Jackson’s rankings too.

The Pig (No. 9)

“The Pig is the epitome of a modern BBQ place. Since opening in 2010, the Carolina-style joint has been smoking whole pigs that are pasture-raised, antibiotic-free, and hormone-free,” USA Today’s report says.

“Owner and pitmaster Sam Suchoff uses every bit of the pigs, which is why house-made bacon, bologna, hot dogs, and pork cheek are also on his menu. And this contemporary eatery doesn’t shun vegetarians; non-meat-eaters can choose from options like BBQ tempeh and shiitake po’boys. They also smoke beef and make tender beef brisket, and chicken goes into those smokers, too. There’s something for everyone at The Pig.”

Before running the barbecue restaurant, Suchoff also worked at several other local eateries, including Open Eye Cafe, Lantern, Neal’s Deli, and the Barbecue Joint, according to The Pig’s website. But he originally used his UNC mathematics degree as a statistical research associate.

As far as pricing, sandwiches cost between $8.50 and $11, po-boys specifically range from $12.50 and $16.50, and tacos cost $4 for 1 and $10 for three. For barbecue plates, which are served with coleslaw, pickles and hushpuppies, costs range from $12.75 to $17. Like many other barbecue restaurants, The Pig also offers bulk orders for meats and sides too.

Other top NC restaurants for Carolina-style barbecue

Of the ten best restaurants — which were nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers, seven total are based in North Carolina:

• (No. 2) Sam Jones BBQ in Winterville and Raleigh
• (No. 3) Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge in Shelby
• (No. 4) B’s Barbecue in Greenville
• (No. 5) Skylight Inn BBQ in Adyen
• (No. 7) Lexington BBQ in Lexington
• (No. 8) Stamey’s Barbecue in Greensboro
• (No. 9) The Pig in Chapel Hill

You can find the full list of the top Carolina-style barbecue spots online at 10best.usatoday.com.