- Attraction: B’s Barbecue
- Location: 751 State Road 1204, Greenville, NC 27858
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: No official website
When locals tell you about barbecue so legendary they literally named the street after it, you listen.
B’s Barbecue Road exists because of one simple truth: this unassuming converted gas station serves what many consider the finest Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue in existence.
Since 1978, three generations of the McLawhorn family have been smoking whole hogs over charcoal briquettes, creating tender, hand-chopped pork that draws lines of devoted fans who arrive before dawn just to secure their place in barbecue history.
The formula at B’s defies modern restaurant logic—no website, no reservations, limited hours, and they close when the food runs out (often by noon).
Yet this approach has earned them features on Food Network shows, rave reviews from barbecue authorities, and a cult following that spans from East Carolina University students to barbecue pilgrims traveling from across the country.
Related
More in North Carolina
This Tiny Charlotte Restaurant Changes Its Menu Every Few Weeks Based On What Local Farms Harvest
Keep Exploring →What Makes B’s Barbecue Extraordinary
The Whole Hog Process: Every night around 10 PM, whole hogs hit the pit behind the restaurant, smoking slowly over Kingsford charcoal briquettes until dawn. This unique cooking method, adopted after a few smokehouse fires, produces exceptionally lean barbecue with a distinctive flavor that sets B’s apart from traditional wood-smoked joints. The meat is hand-chopped, never ground, resulting in perfect texture with no gristle or excess fat.
The Legendary Sauce: B’s signature vinegar-based sauce strikes the perfect balance between tangy and spicy, with just enough heat to complement rather than overpower the smoky pork. The sauce has that classic Eastern NC bite—sour, peppery, and lip-smacking good. Many visitors describe it as “refreshing” and note how it enhances rather than masks the meat’s natural flavors.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Chicken: While B’s is famous for pork, their slow-smoked chicken might be even more spectacular. The meat literally falls off the bone, with crispy skin giving way to incredibly juicy, smoky meat that needs no sauce whatsoever. Chicken often sells out first, sometimes before 11 AM, especially on weekends.
Those Famous Corn Sticks: Instead of traditional hush puppies, B’s serves corn sticks that have achieved legendary status among regulars. These dense, slightly sweet cornmeal treats are the perfect complement to the tangy barbecue, offering a satisfying contrast in both texture and flavor. Many consider them the best cornbread in Eastern North Carolina.
The Combination Plates: You can order barbecue, chicken, or the smart choice—a combination plate with both meats plus two sides. The portions are generous enough that many diners end up sharing, and the value is outstanding considering the quality you’re receiving.
More in North Carolina
See Why Food Lovers Are Making Special Trips To This Charming Asheboro Coffee House
Discover MoreAtmosphere & Dining Experience
The Building: Don’t let appearances fool you—this tiny white concrete block building looks like exactly what it used to be: an old gas station. The adjacent converted carport serves as the pit area, and the whole setup has a weathered, no-frills authenticity that screams “serious barbecue joint.” The building is so small it can barely contain the kitchen, let alone dining tables.
Outdoor Dining: Most people eat at the handful of picnic tables scattered under a massive oak tree in the gravel parking lot. It’s not fancy, but there’s something magical about eating world-class barbecue outdoors under the shade of that ancient tree. The atmosphere is casual and communal—doctors sit next to construction workers, all united by their love of exceptional barbecue.
The Line Culture: The line is part of the B’s experience. Whether you’re ordering from the walk-up window or going inside, expect to wait alongside ECU students, local professionals, and barbecue tourists from around the world. The diverse crowd creates a cultural crossroads where conversations flow as freely as the sweet tea.
No Indoor Dining: Due to recent changes, B’s now operates as takeout-only with outdoor seating available. The tiny interior space is reserved for the kitchen and ordering area, which actually makes the outdoor picnic table experience feel even more authentic.
Essential Visiting Information
Timing is Everything: B’s opens at 9 AM Tuesday through Saturday, but savvy locals know to arrive by 10 AM for the best selection. By 11:30 AM, popular items start selling out, and by early afternoon, they’re often completely sold out and closed for the day. On ECU football game days, arrive even earlier or risk disappointment.
Related
More in North Carolina
Sip Cocktails 22 Stories Above The Queen City At Charlotte’s Highest Rooftop Bar
Keep Exploring →Cash Only Policy: B’s operates on cash only—no credit cards, no checks, no exceptions. There’s an ATM nearby, but come prepared. The remarkably low prices make this easier to swallow than you might expect.
The Sell-Out Strategy: When they’re out of food, they’re out. A handwritten “Sold Out” sign on the door is your cue to try again tomorrow. This isn’t a gimmick—it’s the natural result of cooking fresh food daily without preserving leftovers for the next day.
Value Pricing: The prices remain shockingly reasonable for barbecue of this caliber. A combination plate with two sides costs less than many fast-food meals, making B’s accessible to everyone from cash-strapped college students to barbecue connoisseurs.
Parking Challenges: There’s no formal parking lot—just pull up wherever you can find space on the sides of the road or in the gravel area. The hospital proximity means some additional traffic, but most people don’t mind the short walk for barbecue this good.
B’s Barbecue
📍 751 State Road 1204, Greenville, NC 27858
