Holy Smokes BBQ

Most everyone knows you can get all of what you need, but did you know that also includes notary…read moreservices? Just before our trip here, our realtor notified us of our home closing date. Being that was July 3, no one would even talk to us to get these documents signed before the holiday. We brought our documents dd with us to NC in hopes we would find some kind, willing, souls to help us close on one house. Over the weekend, I reached out to a few notaries, realtor offices, and even attorneys. That have us a few leads but nothing definite. My dad recommended we try Fred's- "they have and do everything! As parents usually are, he was correct. We dropped in on Sunday and were told to come back Monday during working hours. We arrived mid day Monday and the manager stopped what he was doing to notarize our documents, even asking those managing the front desk to sign as witnesses. We are ever so thankful this is done! To top things off, they even have a UPS drop off location which saved us a trip to Banner Elk. Thank you SO very much for your kindness and expertise! Now we have a great story about how we sold our FL house in Beech Mountain, courtesy of Fred's!

I have been to Fred's several times. This last visit was disappointing. The staff could stand to be…read morea little more helpful and welcoming.

Freds mercantile is a staple of beech mountain. Built in 1979 and open every single day since !

See all

Inside

Famous Brick Oven Pizzeria

3.7(272 reviews)

0.1 mi

Excellent pizza and nice little putt putt golf. Nice entertainment on Friday nights.read more

-Food is extremely pricey and isn't even good. If it was good I'd understand the price…read more -Service was ok, not great. It's basically self service on everything. -Table was gross and the bathrooms were dirty. Tbh better off getting pizza elsewhere, then go to an arcade. It will at least save you 80 bucks.

Lots of seating

The best cookies ever! My family won't leave without at least 2!

See all

Fun, dive-y family atmosphere

BE Scooped

4.4(50 reviews)

1.5 mi

Went with a friend and we both thought our ice cream was just okay. I know it's in a touristy area…read morebut a bit overpriced for the portion size. It wasn't super busy when we came in but the two young ladies behind the counter were definitely eager to get us in and out. Not the warmest or most welcoming of customer service. They do have a nice selection of flavors to choose from though and they have a coffee menu as well. Love that's it's family owned. Be prepared for no seating available indoor or outdoor but it's a nice area that's walkable with other stuff to do.

So maybe it was just an off day but customer service wasn't very warm or friendly. My mom and I…read morecame here today to grab some coffees and they were good. I got a cinnamon bun latte and my mom ordered a lavender coffee. Both were good. Wasn't super pricey, we got two cups that were medium sized for $12.00, not bad for a touristy area. The place was clean and decorated cute, the coffee was good and pretty affordable, but 3 stars because both staff members were not very friendly and almost seemed like we were bothering them by coming in. Again, hopefully it was just an off day, but customer service definitely goes a long way, especially for people visiting out of town. I do recommend stopping by here to try coffee, lots of variety in their menu with flavors, and all the different milk options you can think of. :)

Pumpkin pie ice cream

Mocha almond fudge and Superman with rainbow sprinkles in a waffle bowl.

See all

Sugar Cream Ice Cream Parlor

4.1(8 reviews)

4.0 mi

Went twice during our four days in Sugar Mountain. Friendly…read morestaff, plenty of flavor options and affordable! Rich and Famous and the Java were absolute winners! Convenient spot, small parking and seating area but would make this a spot to stop every time while in SM.

It's closed permanently and on your site ot said it was opened until 8 o'clock. It looks like it's…read moreclosed permanently. We drove for half an hour to get there. Very disappointed!!

Outside

See all

Banner Elk Cafe

3.4(699 reviews)

1.6 mi

Just wanted to give a shout out to our server last night Aden. Supposedly this was his first night…read moreat Banner elk Café. They were shorthanded and he did an awesome job. Very attentive, very personable. Thank you for the great service. We love the Banner Café. Also shout out to Manager Anna. She was making sure everybody was taken care of last night. Thank you. Nick & Tim Whitzel

This was our first day in the area so we stopped in this place. I have to say that when we were…read morefirst seated and looked around I wasn't too sure if I wanted to stay. It was old where we were sitting, and everything could use a deep cleaning. But since we were tired and hungry we stayed. Despite the surroundings I'm glad we did. I had the tastiest margarita pizza. The crust was perfection and the flavor was outrageously good. My husband really enjoyed his Reuben sandwich. He had fries with his sandwich. Overall it was a great experience!! Our server was friendly and checked on us several times. This place has excellent potential as far as the food is concerned. They just need to clean up a bit and it would be a lot more appealing.

Kids hot dog and fries. I'm told this was good!

See all

Street View

Dutch Creek Ice Cream

4.6(5 reviews)

5.7 mi

Tucked behind the Mast General Store and in front of Valle Crucis Community Park, this ice cream…read morestand is a perfect spot for a sweet treat by the creek after shopping at Mast or playing at the park. Service is fast and friendly, prices incredibly cheap, and portions hearty. They are a small stand, and so have a limited selection of Blue Bell flavors, but always something's to enjoy.

It wasn't that busy when we arrived. There is a covered sitting area with a couple picnic tables…read more There's also a small creek right next to it and some nice shaded area behind the building for additional sitting options. I tried the Cookie 2 Step ice cream which was cookies and cream with cookie dough. The cookie dough made this ice cream delicious! My youngest tried the Peachy Peach and it was definitely peachy. It had big chunks of peaches I would definitely come here again for ice cream.

Cookie 2 Step - 1 scoop

Back patio

See all

Wood sculpture in the park next to Dutch Ice Cream

Stonewalls

4.3(800 reviews)

1.6 mi

•$$$

Fine dining in the mountains, and some of the best dishes and food at this elevation!…read more This place hits on all levels if you're in the mood for a great evening out. Elegant inside and out, friendly service and top notch food. We sat at the bar and our bartender took care of us all evening. Had one of the best old fashioned's in the area. He knows his stuff! The food was fine dining at its best. A garlic buttered escargot with puff pastry just melts in your mouth. Lobster bisque full of flavor and full of, well, lobster, and a ton of it. I have to say, the extra touch to the tasty French onion soup was a talking point all evening...it came with dedicated scissors so you could cut the cheese. What an amazing touch. And they sure did help lol. The center cut medium rare filet mignon paired with some frites was definitely the showstopper this evening. Thick, tender and juicy...one of the best steaks on all levels. Whenever we're in town and want an elegant evening out, this is the spot!

Stonewalls Restaurant was one of the more pleasant surprises during my time in Banner Elk. It's a…read morebeautiful restaurant, and I had been looking forward to dining there for quite some time. From the moment we arrived, the staff was warm, welcoming, and attentive. The atmosphere, however, felt a little mixed. The restaurant seemed to have two distinct personalities. The newer side, where the bar is located, felt polished and cohesive, while the older dining room--where we were seated because it had more availability--felt like it hadn't quite received the same attention. The lighting on that side of the restaurant was particularly harsh, which made the dining room feel less intimate than it could have been. Since it's also the larger and busier dining space, I think small touches like candles on the tables or softer lighting would go a long way toward creating a warmer, more personal atmosphere. I also noticed an interesting contrast between the beautiful leather-bound menus and some of the furniture and wall décor, which felt more reminiscent of a hotel dining room than the upscale mountain restaurant the food suggested. Thankfully, the meal more than made up for those observations. I ordered the wild mushroom pasta with lobster, and it was the standout dish of the evening. The pasta was rich without feeling heavy, the mushrooms added wonderful depth, and the lobster was cooked beautifully. It's a dish I'd gladly order again. My boyfriend ordered a steak, which he thoroughly enjoyed. We also started with the escargot and the crab cakes. The escargot, while not quite on the level of some traditional French restaurants I've visited, was still very well prepared and enjoyable. The crab cakes were outstanding--full of crab, nicely seasoned, and easily one of the best appetizers of the meal. Our only complaint was that there was only one crab cake on the plate; we both found ourselves wishing there had been another. Overall, Stonewalls Restaurant delivered an excellent meal with genuinely welcoming service. While I'd love to see the older dining room updated to better match the quality of the cuisine, the food alone makes it well worth a visit if you're in Banner Elk.

Bar area (August 2026)

Halibut special with grilled asparagus, and the mushroom pasta dish with shrimp added.

See all

Nice outdoor waiting area

Sorrento's Italian Bistro

3.8(475 reviews)

1.5 mi

Sorrento's never fails is. Whether it's been a couple months or a whole year before we make it…read moreback to Banner Elk, Sorrento's is always our go-to place for dinner. Food is excellent and service is unmatched. Always a highlight of our trip.

We arrived at Sorrento's, our first time in Banner Elk, famished after a very long 7-hour drive…read more avoiding fast food. With no reservation they were kind enough to give us a table outside at 6pm, peak dinner time. We really were just anxious to eat some good Italian. The service and attention were great. Lindsay the waitress was amazing. And the place is beautiful as the people eating there. But here is where it gets a little off. Chicken Piccata is Chicken Piccata in every Italian eatery (look up the recipe)... always perhaps with variation, of course. But I should have read the description better and that's my bad because I was just anxious to eat and I did not get any such sort of traditional Chicken piccata! It wasn't a bad dish, but it was something that I never would have ordered if they had called it something else! Sautéed Chicken in wine and lemon sauce and some creamy fettuccine-type sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes (I hate potatoes, especially mashed) with veggies is so off the mark that I left full (because I was too hungry to complain), but disappointed. I also am no fan of sautéed chicken! Boring! For that dish I paid $30+ I could throw that together at home for much less, but real piccata takes more effort. That's why I ordered it! My wife's spaghetti and meatballs was more affordable but also a bit of a mystery. Great, tender meatballs, true, but the spaghetti was served in tiny pieces as if they were crumbled before boiling! Wtf! Not long strands that you can roll on your fork, but small cut strands?!? And the gravy tasted like a can of Italian chopped tomatoes were poured right out of the can, heated and served. That's not Sunday gravy! Wtf? Yeah, after all these years eating Italian in so many restaurants, I'm not sure why this meal was so off the beaten path. I was lazy, did not read the description and trusted the name of the dish. And, to my horror got mashed potatoes which I couldn't eat. The beer and wine were not pricey, though. And the bread was the best part of the meal. Sorry guys. Don't serve hotdogs and call it steak, if you know what I mean.

Lounge upstairs

Tortellini Sorrento....after eating quite a bit!

See all

Christmas decor!

Bayou Banner Elk

3.3(286 reviews)

1.4 mi

Corey the bartender is the man! Great job and performance on service and food . He treats you like…read morefamily, and that is hard to find nowadays.

We were vacationing in the area and treated ourselves to breakfast. The Yelp reviews looked good so…read morehere we are! Of course, I ordered the Eggs Benedict! French Bread, Canadian Bacon, two poached eggs (I like mine hard boiled), Hollandaise sauce (I always order extra Hollandaise), and a side of crispy home fries. He ordered the CountryFried Steak and Eggs! Both meals were good. A predictably good way to begin a day of sight seeing in the mountains! Most Sincerely, Dayla

Kids Chicken & Fries

See all

Jambalaya

Bullwinkels

3.4(80 reviews)

0.4 mi

Place was completely empty and we didn't even get a head nod from the manager behind the bar..."is…read moreit self seating? Yeah!" This started our meal.... Server was not helpful and rather slow; did not get "the run down" on specials or fan favorites! My meatball sub one of the easiest things to make .... Meatballs were not cooked all the way through and not cooked in the sauce the bun was not toasted and the cheese was just barely melted not browned. A flavorless chewy mess.... My daughter's salad was less than stellar. My son's calzone barely baked crust was still white in most places not browned and the sauce same as my sub was generally lacking in any flavor at all. It is my opinion they rely on a captive audience people staying on the resort so they have very low standards. For us definitely a one and done!

We go here severe times during our stay and food always reliable comfort. From Pizza to baked…read morepasta always good. My fav is the white pizza - so good. Pam at the bar is a hoot. Service always friendly. Its a cozy meal when the weather is bleek.

See more unrecommended reviews

Chicken Parmesan sub

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

55 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Morgan G.

6 years ago

This is a must!!! Best BBQ in North Carolina! The meat is delicious without sauce however every sauce is amazing and different! I really enjoyed trying everyone with my meal! It's all made by the owner and you can tell the freshness! The staff is as friendly and hospitable as you can get! Both went out of their way for my girlfriend and myself. We entered the shop right as they were closing but they waited on us and answered all our questions like we were distant family! I have to say... skiing all weekend was fun but this made my trip! You have to try this place and the shop has so much skiing gear and cheaper. If I could give more stars then five, this place and the owners deserve it! Thanks for making our trip special! read more

Jennifer H.

6 years ago

Not sure about all the negative reviews because I loved this place! We got the special (pulled chicken with mine) and it was delicious. The price was reasonable for what comes with it and also considering the increase in meat prices. The people working there were friendly and helpful. The dining room was so nice with its big windows and view of the mountains. We even stopped for fudge the day we left which was also delicious! This place added to the memories we took with us when we left! Will def return when we come back to the area! read more

Erin G.

7 years ago

What a wonderful experience I had eating at the Holy Smokes Barbecue. The atmosphere is immediately pleasing and very clean . The staff are super friendly along with the quality of the food and service ! The barbecue was excellent , tasty, and the made from scratch sauces to die for . The home made fudge was by far the best in the area I've had. They had a large variety of flavors to choose from as well. Will definitely return to this restaurant !! Great food and above and beyond personalized service !!! read more

Mike K.

10 years ago

This was some of the best BBQ I have had. Some may be disappointed my the small menu and selection, but it will be made up for in the taste. They have a nice selection of sauces including a homemade an applebutter BBQ you have to try. The prices are also very reasonable (cheap by mountain standards). And I will also add that you should try the homemade fudge. They have several flavors and tend to sell out by the evening. read more

Olivia L.

130

9 years ago

We were the last customers of the season and this is without a shadow of a doubt the best barbecue I have had in a longggg time (and I'm am HUGE bbq fan). It was the perfect amount of smoke vs natural flavor. The sauces available paired perfectly with any palette (eastern or Lexington). The atmosphere was so welcoming and the owners were incredibly friendly and caring! Thank you so much for serving us! We will be back to see you! read more

Ebahi I.

8 years ago

The food is exceptional and the service is even better! The smoked pull pork is the BEST and is worth the drive! This restaurant has a great heart, every of the proceeds is going towards helping children that are underprivileged, neglected and less fortunate! They put so much into what they do and it shows in the food, the hospitality and in their service back to the community! Definitely stop by, you will not be disappointed. read more

Crystal D.

10 years ago

We stopped here after skiing Beech Mountain. Went to several other BBQ places in the area and this was the best. The place was very charming and clean and the staff were extremely friendly including Laura who I believe may be the owner. We had the pulled pork and the 'hot tater', both were very good and fresh. The sauces were our favorite, they were so good and they have a good variety. We will definitely be back! read more

James M.

6 years ago

This place is great! I sat on the back deck which offers one of the best views in western NC; direct views of Grandfather mountain and Sugar mountain amongst other peaks for tens of miles. Try the sweet heat barbecue sauce. It's some of the best I've ever had! had it with wings and smoked sausage. Also try the cole slaw. It's not overly sweet but captures the rest of the southern flavor you come to expect. read more

J P.

10 years ago

Wonderful setting the first stop when you hit Beech Mtn. Not only a nice BBQ Resturant, but they have a gift shoppe, Cheapest ski rentals around. Cloathes also. And lodging, one stop shoppe. Had the pulled pork platter very good NC style vinegar base not the fake smoke flavor or drenched in sweet sauce allot of places use. Enjoyed it all will be back. read more

Korie K.

9 years ago

Holy Smokes BBQ is a great restaurant with friendly staff and owners! The atmosphere is very inviting and warm. This place is good for large groups and very family oriented. The BBQ is flavorful and the sides are amazing! I recommend stopping in if you're on Beech Mountain! read more

Eric B.

8 years ago

Very friendly service! BBQ was amazing, especially with their apple butter bbq sauce, the boys loved it on their pulled pork. The Wolf Dog is advertised as the best dog you'll ever eat, and I'd have to say it's right up there. Overall a great experience, we will be back! read more

Launa M.

6 years ago

Wonderful food! Great people! And HOMEMADE FUDGE! Yummy! Holy Smokes is housed in White Wolf Lodge. In addition to fudge and great BBQ it is a gift shop and ski rental. All proceeds helps to support a great mission. Thank you for filling my stomach and my soul read more

Glenn C.

8 years ago

We had a wonderful lunch. Certainly support their purpose to help kids. The fudge was especially good. I grew up eating fudge. So finding their creamy velvety smooth version was a pleasure, taking me back to years ago as a kid. Keep it up Holy Smokes. read more

Logan F.

7 years ago

This place is amazing. I am a big bbq fan so I had high expectations and they were met. The staff and the owner were so nice to us and really tied the whole experience together. This is the one place I would eat when I come back to the mountain. read more

Jansen D.

7 years ago

Food is great. People are greater. Awesome atmosphere. The moment we got here they made us feel like we were at home. They logging is incredible with a great lobby. The people here are very nice. All around awesome winter wonderland experience. read more

Kimberly W.

6 years ago

Stopped here for lunch on our girls trip. The food was AMAZING and the staff was friendly and very helpful. We will be coming back to this wonderful gem! PS try the sweet heat barbecue sauce and the maple bacon fudge. You will not be sorry read more

Jamie J.

8 years ago

Great food, service, and view. Would have sat outside except it was storming. The sauces were great! The owner was so kind with a great mission. Will definitely be returning. Have already been telling friends about this place. read more

Blake L.

8 years ago

Great place to eat bbq!! Eastern vinegar sauce is great but you've got to try the apple butter bbq sauce on your bbq or if your willing to risk it all put some of the apple butter sauce on your Texas toast! read more

Bridget A.

8 years ago

Came here for a team camp and stayed at the White Wolf Lodge right below the restaurant...I love this place! It feels so homey and welcoming. Staff was great and helpful. Really recommend the Hot Tater! read more

Zoltan P.

7 years ago

Very cool little fudge/gift shopm! The BBQ is very good. We had the bbq wolfdog! You can't go wrong with slow smoked pulled pork on and all beef hotdog. Get some of their signature apple butter too read more

Holy Smokes BBQ - bbq - Updated September 2026

Best of Beech Mountain

Things to do in Beech Mountain

People found Holy Smokes BBQ by searching for…

People who viewed Holy Smokes BBQ also viewed

Elk River Depot

3.6

(38 reviews)

What a great place. The term vibe may be overused, but this place has such a warm, friendly,…read morefamily atmosphere which is a tribute to the people that work there and the obviously excellent management. We all got the newly added breakfast buffet. Wow, it was amazing! Great, friendly service from the great guy cooking up lots of pancakes, omelettes, waffles and eggs. So accommodating and with all our favorites. Price is very reasonable, and so much better than any chain. Give these folks some love and make sure their place is full. Thanks for an awesome start to our day!

Food was beyond delicious, from fresh, artisan bread on the Club sandwich to shoe string fries with…read morea hint of rosemary. We got buffalo wings and pizza as well, with all food being absolutely delicious! The waitress was very attentive and nice. I would highly recommend giving this place a try and making it a regular.

Caddyshack Cafe

4.7

(10 reviews)

First off, the ambiance is a 5 star. Just an FYI, this is at a golf course. This means that the…read morefood is made quickly. Golfers desire quick and easy meals. The food looks presentable but the food is cooked from frozen. It wasn't terrible but know what you are getting before. It's a 50/50 choice to patronize.

One of the best views for lunch in the area. The food is really good too. Order at the counter and…read morethey'll bring your food to you.

Old Hampton Store & Grist Mill

4.3

(136 reviews)

Stumbled upon this place driving through the mountains and SO happy we found them! Everything from…read morethe food to the vibes were 10/10. Some of the best chicken wings I've ever had! Can't recommend enough!

We went for the music but definitely returned for the food! Parking was easy and we brought our…read moreown chairs but there is ample seating if you don't have your own. We decided to try a pizza for my husband. Veggie was very good. I went inside and got a half salad with smoked chicken. My husband loved my salad so much we had to share. We are definitely going to try hickory wood on our smoker. The music was amazing both visits. Southern rock is what I would call it. Lots of line dancing or just get up and dance music. Definitely part of our weekly summer activities list.

Carolina Barbeque

3.5

(99 reviews)

BBQ had good flavor, just a little dry? They're fried pickle strips were to die for. The best I've…read moreever had. Sides and hush puppies outstanding. Green beans so good I took an extra order home. Overall, I'm going back for sure.

I'm not a big barbecue fan, but I love this place. I got a 2 piece chicken dinner and it was…read moredelicious. I didn't order macaroni and cheese with my meal, but I heard someone talking about it and I had to try it. It's homemade and it's the best. It doesn't need salt& pepper it's delicious as is

Tucker's Cafe

4.6

(23 reviews)

Oh yeah sandwich fands do have a treat today. I've been eating at this restaurant in the 'glorius'…read moreBoone Mall since I was a kid. While the mall has lost almost every other old school tenant besides Belks, Panera and a couple of Appalachian State based stores, Tuckers has managed to keep their family business in the same spot. They have a large selection of sandwiches, wraps and hot dogs as well as breakfast options on Saturdays. They do stop serving lunch at 4pm, I believe, so plan accordingly. It is a small cafe style space with several booths on each side a a few two-top tables in between. You can also have your meal carried out in to mall entrance and there are several tables and benches just outside of the restaurant as well.

Oh my this place is SO good! I was a bit hesitant being in a mall but Tuckers Cafe was great! I had…read morethe Traditional Gyro and my husband had the cheese quesadilla. Both came with a decent portion of fries which were seasoned very well (I like a heavy seasoned fry) I got Ranch to dip and live the side order of pickles (my favorite!) all the veggies on my gyro were really fresh. Would definitely order again and would recommend to anyone. I'm already craving another gyro! Bonus points- Tucker is the name our sweet kitty back home!

Banner Elk Cafe

3.4

(699 reviews)