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    Lexington Barbecue

    4.1 (723 reviews)
    ModerateBarbeque
    Closed Closed

    Lexington Barbecue Photos

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    LEXINGTON BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Lexington Barbecue

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    My delicious plate
    Brigham S.

    This place is a piece of heaven. I have eaten a lot of bbq in my life and I was more than excited to have my dad's home state bbq, I got the chopped bbq plate with baked beans, red slaw, and hush puppies with a sweet tea to drink. Everything was perfect. 3 refills of sweet southern tea just how I need it. The ambience was loud and had a sense of southern hospitality, the service was outstanding and we had our food in 5 minutes. Hush puppies are absolutely goated and I WILL be coming back. 5 stars bro

    Steve F.

    The legendary Lexington Barbecue lived up to their reputation. We made sure to make a stop here part of our road trip. The service couldn't have been better - so friendly and helpful. Although we each ordered a pork tray, we easily could have shared one. Between the regular BBQ and the coarse chopped, we both preferred the regular shredded meat. Prices are reasonable, especially for the portion sizes. The place is as down home as it gets. Wonderful!

    Marc T.

    Good ole Honeymonks. This was the first restaurant my wife's family ate at when they moved here in 1980 when she was a teenager. Now it is called Lexington BBQ off of Hwy 64. They are closed now on Mondays. We both had a chopped sandwich and fries and I had a diet Cheerwine . Very tasty . Friendly efficient long time staff. You can pull up to the side and they will come out and take your order or you can can eat inside .

    Bret B.

    My Dad used to pick up BBQ from Lexington BBQ inbound from his work trips in the 1970s when I was kid, so fond memories of that vinegar pork BBQ. I have only stopped in to eat here a few times since. The restaurant is a Time Machine from 1967 and I don't think they have changed anything inside or outside since. Why change a winning formula? Service is friendly and prompt. I love NC BBQ. Especially the vinegar and chopped pork. My last couple visits here have been ok. The puppies were good but a little too oily. The BBQ was ok.

    Sliced Plate
    Fred B.

    I had not been at this holy grail of Lexington style BBQ in a while, so I decided to make the 30 minute drive to pick up some of the great barbecue here, and there were several other spots I might check out while in Lexington. Wayne Monk and Sonny Honeycutt opened Lexington on the spot it still occupies today. The spot had been owned by Warner Stamey, who never used it. Stamey is considered by many to have been the person that perfected the BBQ style now commonly referred to as "Lexington". Stamey mentored a number of pit masters including Monk and Red Bridges in Shelby. Hunneycutt soon left the operation and Monk built a bbg haven, that attracts folks from other parts of the states, as well as other states. I've been coming here since the late 60's and have never had a bad meal, a bad experience. I've eaten in , in curb service, take out in bulk, even whole shoulders a hand full of times. On this visit I got plates of chopped, coarse chopped, and sliced barbecue to bring home. I have always found it humorous that some folks say that one or the other NC BBQ is the only "real" BBQ - balderdash! Good BBQ is good BBQ, and there is plenty in this state, from Manteo to Murphy.

    Loving tribute from a young fan
    Felice B.

    You don't like pork bbq? Cool. You don't like NC vinegar sauced bbq? No problem. You don't like Western NC bbq? It's all good. If you answered "yes" to any or all of those questions, great! You're entitled to your preferences and opinions. But please stop reviewing restaurants that serve these foods. Your not liking this style doesn't automatically make it bad. Lexington Barbecue is a damn solid representation of western Carolina 'cue. You smell the smoke the moment you set foot in the crowded parking lot. The long line for seating zips along rapidly and your drink order will be taken almost immediately. Regulars don't need menus but the servers will give you all the time you need. Your meal will be out quickly, along with a healthy serving of fresh hush puppies and as many refills of tea as you can handle. Lexington 'cue is served with a thin dip, similar to mopping sauce. 'Round these parts, that means a lightly tomato tinged peppery vinegar sauce. Adjust to your taste with more dip, hot sauce, or whatever else. The slaw, dressed with a similar sauce (yes, it does have ketchup in it, bless your heart) is pure magic. Okay, Stamey's slaw might be a little bit better but that's quibbling. The mayo-free finely chopped cabbage is the perfect go-with for the pork. Try them in the same bite and thank me later. The ambiance is just right. Many regulars, mostly locals, and everyone is as sweet as the tea. Decor is all laminate and fake wood paneling and has seen much better days. In other words, as it should be. NB: As with so many restaurants now, Lexington adds a service charge for using a credit card. Cash is always welcome.

    Outside...awaiting the greatest BBQ of my life.
    Molly N.

    We were traveling through Lexington, NC on our way to the beach from KY. My sister urged us to stop to try this beloved local spot, Lexington BBQ. She's right (most of the time) so we did. Hallelujah, we did! For sure, the best BBQ of all time!!! 10/10! Go! Go! Go!

    Barbecue sandwich with meat skin
    King Kenneth D.

    The food is always great and fresh and hot always have the same taste. It's the best barbecue in North Carolina. Service is always great. They always treat me like family and the owner always picking and laugh with me a great place to park and it's always safe. you can sit in your caror go in. The atmosphere is always great. They treat you like family and great prices.

    Peach Cobbler with ice cream
    Bill V.

    Iconic... this place transcends time! The BBQ is the original, the beginning, the first smoked pork creation that goes back almost 300 years. People from around the world come here. The service is friendly, fast, and honest. This establishment looks the way it did 50 years ago and I hope it never changes. It's cozy, clean, and says NC Pit BBQ, Lexington Style.

    Restaurant parking
    Charles F.

    Lexington BBQ is my favorite place to eat amazing Q. Friend and I stopped there on the way back to WS. Both of us picked the chopped barbecue plate with hush puppies, fries and slaw. Amazing smoked Q with the best tasting hushpuppies. And Cheerwine to drink. Place was crowded but was seated at booth right away. Waitress came back several times to ask if we needed anything. Just go cups for the Cheerwine. Restaurant super clean and excellent staff. Any how this is the place that sets the standards of excellent NC BBQ for others to shoot for.

    Barrie P.

    My son was researching the barbecue festival in Lexington and we thought it would be fun to come and eat at the restaurant. It is very iconic with the white sign and pig statue out front. We came on a Saturday for lunch and there was plenty of seating. All of the staff was really nice. I thought it was cute. He was doing a research project and gave him a to go menu. We split the chopped tray with red slaw and french fries. I like that you can get a mix of rolls and hush puppies plus they will bring out more if you want. The barbecue and flour were my favorite that I've had in the Lexington style. They complement each other well and pork was not overly tangy. The french fries were plain, but that was good since the barbecue and dip were so full of flavor. The hush puppies were fresh and crunchy. We will definitely be back to try more items on their menu.

    Emmanuel D.

    Lexington-style barbecue, also known as Piedmont or Western-style, is a North Carolina barbecue tradition known for its use of pork shoulder, a tomato-based sauce with vinegar, and a red coleslaw. It's a distinct style that differs from Eastern-style barbecue, which uses the whole hog and a vinegar-based sauce. First time to visit this place through my cousin Pete, who's from Archdale, NC. Authentic NC barbecue style and we did like the foods that were ordered by my cousin as well as our menu picks. Servings are big with sides plus the price is affordable. Servers are polite, friendly and helpful. They are wonderful people. Place opens 10AM up to 9 PM from Monday thru Saturday. They're closed on Sundays and were early and people started filling up the place . Huge parking lot , busy place, amazing place to taste the NC style of barbecue, wherein they cook pork shoulders in 9 hours using oak and hickory coals. Mouth watering, yummy Lexington style of Barbecue. Common people, drop bye there, taste it and you'll love it. Happy tummy.

    Chopped bbq and Cole slaw
    Jason D.

    Top rated NC BBQ joint for all the right reasons. This place was a must stop for us as I've read/seen all the reviews. Parking lot was nearly full and the dining area crowded on a Friday night. Had no idea so many patrons drove up to order-pickup carry out but the joint was buzzing. We were promptly seated as soon as we walked in and greeted warmly by our waitress. The menu is very straightforward. Chopped BBQ, sliced fresh turkey, brisket and a few other items. They only serve WNC BBQ which is pork shoulder in a red sauce, although that sauce is very mild. We ordered the chopped bbq and sliced turkey with rolls, Cole slaw and hush puppies as sides. The outstanding food was met with the very warm hospitality all around us. Neighbors, friends and colleagues all catching up with each other. It was an absolute pleasure to have dined there and so worth the time.

    Chopped bbq tray

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    3 months ago

    Fast and speedy service. Hot and fresh anyday . All day. . If your hungry and don't feel like cooking. Come eat in or take out.

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    Lexington Barbecue Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lexington Barbecue

    Does anyone know if Lexington BBQ is still open for business? We drove by on April 5 and they were closed. 2 banners out- 1 said thank you and the second said closed.

    Their website lists Easter Monday as one of the days that they are closed so I suspect that is why they were not open. "Closed New Years Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day."

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    Barbecue Center

    Barbecue Center

    4.2
    (217 reviews)
    1.3 mi
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    Was looking for some great bbq in Lexington and someone told me they have the best "dip" in town…read more They may not be as well known as the other places in town but that just made it easier to get a table at lunchtime. The chopped bbq was great and the dip (sauce) leans a little heavier on the ketchup and a little lighter on the vinegar but still has great flavor. The sign outside and the ambience inside shows the restaurant's age but that's part of the experience. Not fancy but a great bbq and very good sides. If you're in Lexington check out the local scene at Barbecue Center.

    Husband, kid, and I dropped in for a quick lunch. We almost went on because the parking lot was…read morefull. We went inside and the restaurant was only a fourth full. I guess everyone eating drove two cars a piece, I don't know but it was misleading. We were served quickly and the food was good. The fries could've been a bit crispier and the hush puppies weren't hot when they came out. They only gave a few with my husband's meal, but offered refills of them if we wanted any to just let them know. We didn't ask for anymore. I had a chicken tender sandwich which was easy to rip apart and dunk in dip, which also wasn't very warm temperature wise. I also opted for chili cheese fries and they were pretty good. I wouldn't rush back here over other places in town, but if someone suggested here, I could eat it again.

    Photos
    Barbecue Center
    Hush puppies
    Hush puppies
    Barbecue Center

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    Lexington Barbecue - bbq - Updated June 2026

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