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    Lawrence Barbecue

    4.3 (203 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque, Burgers
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Lawrence Barbecue Photos

    Business Info

    LAWRENCE BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Lawrence Barbecue

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    Really excellent collard greens, better than expected.
    George D.

    Seven of us for Sunday dinner. Service was quick and attentive, all of the food was delicious, the restaurant was clean and bright, but OMG the place is LOUD!!!

    Cedar Street Family Platter (the sides)
    Tianna D.

    I owe this place nothing. My friends who live in the area took us here on a Friday night. It was about 80% full. It was my husband and I's first time having Southern BBQ/ Carolina BBQ and Lawrence BBQ had set the bar high for us. Everything was SO GOOD. We got the Cedar Street Family Platter. It was able to feed 5 of us (3 guys and 2 ladies) and there were leftovers. So perfect for the recommended size. The brisket and the ribs were the faves. Honorary mention to turkey, that pleasantly surprised me. And I'm not a fan pulled pork but I can only have pulled pork from here from now now on. My least fav meat on the platter was the pork belly but it's still ranked at like a 7. That's how good the meats were. The sides were great supporting roles. They weren't spectacular but they're disappointing. The only side I didn't try was the orzo. I didn't get our waiter's name but he was such a delight. He made the experience really good.

    Chopped brisket sando
    Marty W.

    Really large and tasty brisket sandwich with different kind of bun and pickled onions. Fries were very tasty and fresh. Mac and cheese was also very good. Service was prompt and delivered on time. Very nice, modern space.

    Chili crisp queso tots

    Cannot say enough positive things about the food at Lawrence Barbecue! I'm an NC native, so I've grown up on classic eastern BBQ and all the fixin's. I like it, but it's not something I often want to eat. When I do, it's rare to find a place doing the food so well that I want to continue coming back. This restaurant combines traditional BBQ flavors and methods with new, fresh flavors. The team is so sweet and I loved the ambiance of the place. It's so open, and family friendly. I cannot wait to be back.

    Shannon D.

    OK so my favorites were the ribs and the brisket queso! They were so freaking good. The brisket sandwich was really great too. Side note the chips were terrible. We ordered them as an appetizer and threw them all away. They were hard as a rock. But literally everything else was delicious.

    Drinks menu
    Jbear F.

    A nice clean and mostly white interior decor with the appropriate barbecue signage and pigs around. But beware there is no parking. The service was very friendly and the food tasted good. Not great. Almost seems like more of a sandwich place instead of a barbecue place. I ordered the sampler meat platter because I want to try several meats. Maybe it would've been better if I sampled some of their regular meats, but I went with the Carnitas style pulled pork and the pork belly burnt ends. For sides, I chose the brisket Q beans, and the sweet and spicy collard greens. The pulled pork tasted good and came with an avocado sauce on the side with a verde salsa on top with raw onions and cilantro. The pork belly burnt ends were cooked perfectly and tasty with some kind a sweet sauce that fully covered them. The burnt ends were just a little spicy, which I like. Tasty and melty fatty. The baked beans were a little too sweet with cilantro and raw onions on top. The collards were way more sweet than spicy, and OK. A good place to try, but you might wanna ask when you're ordering stuff if it comes with anything on top not described on the menu. So if you don't like raw onions on your food, beware. Like I said, a nice place, but more new age barbecue, it seemed to me.

    Smashburger
    Charlie B.

    Prepare your taste buds for an uplifting experience at the just-opened Lawrence Barbecue in the heart of downtown Cary. This isn't just another Carolina barbecue joint; it's a testament to culinary innovation, top-quality ingredients, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere.   Having recently relocated from the Research Triangle Park area and expanded (big-time) into a shiny new building in Cary, Lawrence is about to build on its well-deserved reputation with a buzzing, "intergalactic surf cowboy" vibe. The menu is a delicious elevation from the standard BBQ joint norm. Here, owner/chef Jake Wood blends Carolina tradition with a Texas-style influence. The Texas-style brisket is already legendary - it is so juicy and tender, you can cut it with a plastic spoon. The smoke rings are perfect, and the bark is packed with a delectable blend of salt and pepper. But the brisket is just the beginning. The chicken wings have been called "some of the best" ever eaten, and the ribs are sticky, sweet, and perfectly smoked. No wonder Southern Living named Lawrence as one of the best new barbecue joints in the South.   Jake Wood doesn't limit himself to one style of barbecue. You can also expect smoked chicken and turkey, carnitas-style pulled pork, and who knows what else they might add along the way.   Old timers, cheapskates, whiners, and complainers might gripe about the missing "BBQ purity". But owner Jake Wood says, "We are not a Texas BBQ Joint, we are not an NC BBQ Joint... we just love cooking delicious food that comes from our soul."   And I say "amen" to that!   The inventive menu features plenty of unexpected delights, like fresh, local oysters served raw or grilled, and a Smash Burger made with chopped brisket - all of which I tried the first 2 days the new location was open, and they were great.   But perhaps my favorite is the birria tacos. I'd had them before at the old location as part of Leroy's Taco Shop, yet they're perhaps even better now. (See photos).   Beyond the food, there's a full bar, plenty of soft drinks and cold beer... and then the friendly and attentive staff elevate the entire experience. Regulars at the previous location may recognize a bunch of familiar smiling faces.   The casual yet trendy, bright open space - with full table service - has ample seating, and the energetic atmosphere is contagious.   Whether you're a barbecue purist looking for some elevated takes on the classics... or just a food lover looking for a fun new culinary adventure... Lawrence Barbecue will not disappoint. It is a genuine dining paradise.

    pork belly burnt ends, briskets, mac & cheese and deviled eggs potato salad
    Sydney H.

    My husband and and I love BBQ and can't believe we didn't know about this place sooner! Came for lunch on a saturday afternoon and was seated right away. They have a drink station and a spot to get your sauces, but there was a waiter that came to take our order. My husband and I shared the leisure lord sampler platter and ordered the brisket, pork belly burnt ends with sides of mac and cheese and thru deviled egg potato salad. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. The brisket was tender and so delicious. I loved all the dipping sauces they had. The pork belly burnt ends had a yummy, tangy sauce on top. The sides were a great size and both tasted great. It was all the perfect amount for my husband and I to share. The waited checked in with us often to make sure we were good. My husband and I enjoyed this spot and will definitely come back!

    Burnt ends &  collard greens
    Sharon P.

    The burnt ends and ribs were delicious. Our server was really good too! The ambience is what you works expect from a bbq spot.

    Kelsey C.

    I am absolutely in LOVE with Lawrence Barbecue, and I am equally in love with the Boxyard, which is possibly the cutest location ever. I got an entire sampler of everything but the wings, which I now wish I hadn't missed. The special that day was a Hoodoo Brown Crispy Skin Pork Belly with a skin so loud and a meat so tender. It's been so long since I've had ribs fall off the bone, thank you, Lawrence, for actually making them right! You CAN get good Brisket outside of Texas. Their smoke is solid, and the pulled pork is also sure to please. You're here for the meat, but the sides are strong, and you'll need at least some Slaw to balance out the meaty-meat. Baked Beans are beefy and smoky, and they get creative with the charred Brussels. It's been a long time since I've had BBQ this good, and I think it'll be a long time before I find any this good again.

    Looking in thru the pickup window...
    Smythe R.

    I'm still sad that they abandoned their Boxyard location, but I shouldn't downvote them that harshly. I had great food from them when they were here and hope someone fills that BBQ-shaped hole in the Boxyard experience!

    Chelsea N.

    We stopped in here for lunch and got a platter to share. We also got the chimmichurri crab claws (a bit strange). The grilled oysters were really good as well! We loved the vibe inside and outside. Very relaxed and clean. We sat on the patio. They were still ironing out the kinks of the patio, but the servers were all great! We would definitely come back!

    Bar stool with backs seating bar top
    Alicia R.

    Killer sit down order from the table barbecue spot with great staff, owner/chef onsite, cute decor (vintage wrestling toys for nostalgia), and quality good merch! The mac and cheese is like a cacio e pepe. The turkey is well seasoned and super juicy - i paired it with a side of buffalo and a side of cherrywine bbq sauce. Beans were delicious, fluffy bread, thick juicy wings, seasoned fries, and the only thing to describe the adobe brisket sando is perfect. Pepsi fountain soda plus sweet or unsweetened tea. Full bar is coming next week apparently. 4 tvs for sports. Indoor and outdoor seating. Super spacious and really clean 10/10 (not sticky like other bbq competitors).

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    6 months ago

    Great food, great people, amazing atmosphere. Best oysters around. Would recommend over and over again!

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    3 months ago

    I will give another try but the first time I went it was just okay bbq. To be honest I have had better. The service though was good!

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    3 months ago

    Never heard of them until I ate their brisket at an event in Wilmington. I WILL be making a trip to Cary to the brick and mortar restaurant.

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    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Jake W.

    Jake W.

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    9 months ago

    Great food. Reminded me of the great BBQ we enjoyed in Houston, Texas. Staff was super friendly too.

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    5 months ago

    Great food and friendly service. Brisket is tender. Wings are amazing. The pork belly was so tasty. Sides are good too.

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    5 months ago

    amazing service and amazing food! Everything was extra clean and great service the entire time.

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    1 year ago

    Brisket is very so-so. Person who took our order did not want to be there and the wait was interminable.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Expensive but the best! Chorizo, bbq, and Brussels sprouts are amazing! You'll love it!

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    Ask the Community - Lawrence Barbecue

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    Lawrence Barbecue - bbq - Updated June 2026

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