The smell hits you as soon as you get out of the car that you are in the right place. Amount of food is insane. Almost like they challenge you to finish it. Chopped was good and ribs were excellent. They offer vinegar or sweet sauce on the side. The collards really shined with a TexasPete hot sauce. Corn bread was not typical; dense and flat; maybe a local thing. Good selection of craft beers to wash it down. Would have been a five star but corn bread was meh. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Ribbbs and chop - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Sooooo good! Besides the cornbread was extra dry! They don't give you a big portion for as much money as you have to spend. I got the turkey breast smoked and it was super juicy and delicious read more

The latest stop in the NC BBQ Roadtrip Tour took us to Winterville, to Sam Jones BBQ. The restaurant itself is not at all like some of the roadside dives that dot NC - its bright and shiny - reminiscent of some of the chain bbq spots like Sonny's and City BBQ. Don't be deterred by the commercial facade - the BBQ here is the less real deal. We opted for the Jones Family Original BBQ tray - which consists of pulled pork, corn bread and a side. We opted for the baked beans. The pulled pork is perfection. Sam Jones is a whole hog place, chopped not pulled. There's a view into the kitchen from the dining room and you can watch while slabs of pork are deboned by hand and then chopped using cleavers in both hands. My mouth was watering just watching. There are two sauces on the table, one sweet and one vinegar based. I tried both, but the sweet wins my vote. The pork is moist but not mushy, with chunks of different consistency from each part of the hog. There's a faint smoky taste, but not overpowering. And that sweet and a little tangy sauce turns every bite into a little bit of hog heaven. Do ya think I liked it??? The baked beans were in a sweet molasses sauce, interestingly cooked with ground meat instead of chunks of pork. I suppose it could have been ground pork... But tasted like beef to me. The beans were excellent as well, the sauce perfect for dipping. The corn bread is done Eastern NC style, using what tasted like the Skylight Inn recipe style. The corn bread's only ingredients are corn meal, salt and water, baked in a shallow pan. The result are bread slice-sized cakes, kinda tough and bland. Not really my favorite, but that's because my northern taste buds are conditioned to expect sweet, cake-like corn bread. Still, I polished off the entire serving, dipped in the sauce from the beans! Because we can't resist banana pudding at a BBQ place, we had to try some. It was yummy. The nilla wafers were still crisp, slices of banana fresh and the pudding creamy, pulling it all together. It was a ride to get to Winterville, but worth the trip for some excellent BBQ. Good enough that we took a pound to go. Guess what's for dinner tonight? read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Jones Family Original BBQ Tray - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

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Been to Skylight BBQ years ago, and decided to try this modem interpretation. Relatively dry pork BBQ and good BBQ like Skylight didn't need a sugar sauce. Skylight also had crunchy skin. The collards were not cooled and doused with lots of vinegar. Such a shame. read more

It was just a matter of time before we found our way to this new barbecue venue of Sam Jones, the current owner (3rd generation) of the legendary Skylight Inn in nearby Ayden. We were headed to Kinston for another bucket list restaurant, and we rolled in here about 12:15, and had to search for a parking place, and it's a big parking lot! The place was slammed, but they handled the pressure very well. You order fast food style at the front (might want to always have 2 employees at this station during peak hours, and if you as a customer are going to use a CC, please have some clue as to what the hell you are doing), pay, get your drinks, and get a number so they know how to find you. This is a very loud place when packed, so be prepared. I ordered for both of us, Alice grabbed one of the few remaining empty tables, and we people watched as we waited - suits, blue collars, geeks, law enforcement, families, couples, and a few strays at the bar where beer is available - not popular with some of the old school crowd, I understand. Our food was out shortly - a full pound of Pork Short Ribs with Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, and Skylight Inn's signature, dense Cornbread for $14, and Jones Family Pork BBQ Lunch, with FFs, Slaw, and Sweet Potato Muffin for $10 - all a bit pricey for an NC BBQ joint, but the quantity was nicely sized. The food was excellent - the Chopped Pork was just like that at Sky Light Inn, quintessential Eastern NC BBQ with that distinctive vinegar based sauce, close to as good as it gets.. The slaw is also good, a bit sweet but always goes well with this style pork. The FFs were very nice, and plentiful, and the Sweet Potato Muffin was outstanding. The ribs were as good as any we've tried in NC - very tender, and not over sauced, at all. We both agreed we'd come here for these ribs alone. The Mac & Cheese was very good, but the Baked Beans where a touch too sweet even though there was a nice amount of ground beef in them. The Corn Bread was typical of the Jones Family restaurants - very dense, and a bit more than bland. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This casual restaurant was amazing. I had the moist brisket on top of a potato. Yum. My friend had moist brisket with macaroni and cheese. Wow! We both had the fantastic banana pudding. It was just like homemade. The people were very friendly and helped us narrow down the vast menu. The food arrive quickly and it was hot. Perfect. read more

The food here is great! I'm never disappointed. The meat selections are very good. Well seasoned and I love the smoked taste. All the sides I've tried were very good as well. read more

Their cornbread is soooo bad! You could break a window with it it is so heavy and dense. Ordered sweet potato muffin today and it was almost as dense and was still raw on the inside. BBQ was good. Ribs however were not "fall off the bone" tender. Blood present next to bone. Taking them home to cook longer. Third visit and my critique remains the same. read more

Yummy chicken tenders and Mac n cheese too! Lots more chicken & bbq too. Great inside seating atmosphere & great drive through experience!

My husband and I always eat Smoked sliced Turkey. smoked Turkey are BEST!!! Also inside Sam Jones BBQ and Restrooms always keep clean up that's why we always eat at Sam jones BBQ !! read more

Had the rib plate. Ribs were really good, collards were also good. Cornbread was odd and dense not my thing, I like good corn bread. I would go back to try other items read more

Loved it. Loved the friendly staff and the great food. I enjoyed my stop and my food. It was tasty and cooked to perfection. If I lived in NC I'd be a repeat customer I highly recommend! read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Dinner time! - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Good BBQ, good prices. Good atmosphere. What more can you ask for? Visited here on a whim glad we did. The smokehouse baked potato was excellent as was the banana pudding. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Smokehouse baked potato. Yummo! - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Are you kidding me!!! So as I travel the roadways, I stopped in for a quick dinner and I was truly amazed. I pulled up to the counter and looked at the menu. I asked the lady how the turkey is and she said good. I like smoked turkey and decided what the hell, why not. So, I ordered the turkey with slaw, fries and a sweet potato muffin. What is a sweet potato muffin? The lady said, it is really good, so I ordered that with my turkey. Holy poop!!! My dinner arrived and it was fantastic!!! The turkey was soooooooo moist and smoky, the slaw was fantastic and the fries were hand cut. This was quite possibly the best bbq turkey I have ever had! I have no idea how good the other stuff is and when I return, I will never know because I'm all in for the turkey...again! If you are in the area, make a bee line for this place... Enjoy!!! read more

We stopped in for a big carry out of ribs, bbq chicken, chopped Que and corn bread. You could not ask for a cooler place to visit, nicer group of employees and a better carry out experience. We were offered complimentary soft drinks during our wait...it is the little things that go a long way with me. The food was good, the place was immaculate and their approach to corn bread reminds me of the kind made by Eastern NC grandmother. The bbq chicken was our favorite. We will definitely visit again! read more

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If you want a hearty meal at a reasonable price, this is the place to dine. My daughter recommended their baked potato, although I am trying to cut carbs, I had to try it once! I was not disappointed in the portion size. You order at the counter and they bring your food to your table. Our order consisted of ribs, chicken wings, baked potatoes and chicken strips. They also sell the "old school" bottled sodas, which I am not a soda drinker but wanted to taste that strong soda to bring back childhood memories. My husband opted for Cheerwine since they were out of Pepsi, and after taking one sip I was done LOL. The portions of the food were well worth the money spent and flavor was not lacking. I will say since my baked potato was so huge I had to ask for additional butter and sour cream, which the staff did not hesitate to bring. The chicken wings did not have as much of the "smoked" flavor as some have had in the past but they were still good. The bonus is they have added a restaurant in downtown Raleigh area, so I hope to visit that location one day and hope the food is just as good! read more

Service was very good and efficient. Food came out very fast which was nice. I got the two meat combo and so did my friend. I got ribs and chicken, with Mac and cheese and potato salad. He got pulled pork, chicken, potato salad, and beans. The good: Ribs - juicy flavorful and very tender Chicken - juicy flavorful and tender The bad: Chicken - rubbery skin. Chicken needs to be smoked hot and fast Potato salad - yuck. Too much mayo. Cornbread - yuuuckkkk. That is not cornbread. It looks like bread that was mushed and hardened up. So gross. Do not get. read more

It was not his grand daddy's food. The flavor was super bland and I wanted to like it but I didn't.

"MMT" Day 2 continued: This day couldn't have been any better. We visited Sam Jones BBQ for a meal and an experience that I will be hard pressed to forget. First Mason gave us a tour of the smoke-house where they do it all from ribs, chicken and turkey to whole hog. I had a lot of questions and Mason had all of the answers. From there we moved into the dining hall where Aaron's crew provided us with one of the best dining experiences that we've had to memory. Michelle ordered NC Catfish with Mac and Cheese and fresh cut fries. I had the chopped whole hog pork, spare ribs, baked beans and collards. Everything was hot and fresh and cooked to perfection. The BBQ was the best that I've ever eaten. The ribs were tender and meaty with just the right amount of smoke...oh, and don't get me started on the collards. All in all I'd drive back here from Macon to enjoy this meal again. Make the pilgrimage and check out what Sam and his folks are doing. 5 out of 5 for sure. read more

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The food was excellent, the service was great, and the restaurant was clean and welcoming. Five stars! read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Chopped BBQ Plate with Strawberry Pudding - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Sam Jones bbq has good bbq. I had the traditional bbq pork sandwich w beans and potato salad unfortunately both sides lacked seasoning. I did enjoy the sweet potato muffin. My guest enjoyed his turkey sandwich very smoky and moist. Nice location in Greenville where you can enjoy outdoor seating. We will try again. Awesome staff very friendly and professional. read more

Stopped here after a long day of driving and was recommended by a friend- definitely disappointed. The turkey was the saving Grace at this place as it was divine. I'd come back just for the turkey. The pulled pork had some bones in it in place and the cornbread was hard. Very weird. Def not coming back read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Turkey, Pulled Pork, Mac N Cheese - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Delicious food, wonderful atmosphere and nice servers! They checked on us multiple times and were so sweet! Food was a 10/10 as far as taste. Was a little cold so that wasn't ideal but we ate it anyway. read more

Always been a fan of eastern NC barbecue and they know how to do it right. More choices than the Skylight, but the chopped barbecue is the same. The sides are good and try a sweet potato muffin, yummy. They had deserts but maybe next time. I made a pig of myself. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Barbacue and chicken. - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Came here based on reviews and I was not impressed. I ordered the three meat platter with Ribs to get a good idea of the food quality and quantity. I will say, for the EXTRA $2.00 for the ribs you do get plenty but they failed to provide me anymore than three thin slices of turkey. When my food was served I only received two meats and had to show my receipt for the pulled pork. They were a little testy when I told the them made a mistake. All of the food arrived cold. I asked to get it heated up and they looked at me funny. They stated that the food is cool because it is fresh and under a heat lamp. What are they talking about? The flavor of the ribs were good as well as the turkey but I wasn't please with the pulled pork. Because it was cold and they wouldn't heat it up I left most of the food. I did have the banana pudding which was excellent but I was not impressed about the cost. The total bill plus merger tip was $31 for one person. I would not make this another top choice while visiting based on the service and quality of the food. It would have been more enjoyable if they provided me hot food and better service. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Closer look at the three meat plate. - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

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Excellent food and atmosphere! If you're not that hungry when you get there, the smells alone will change that! The staff are great and take care of your needs! The only con is that if you get there later in the evening they may run out of your favorites! read more

Food was amazing! and the show wasn't half bad either xD saw a young lady fall and ALMOST drop her four trays full of food. I say almost because she was able to stop herself by landing on her knees. Not only did she not drop a single meal, but she got back up immediately and resumed working as if it were nothing! What an impressive young lady, certainly made my day! read more

Sam Jones BBQ, what else is there to say? Wonderful? perfect? friendly? Clean? All smiles? ALL OF THE ABOVE! We never leave NC without a visit. Due to COVID, we did not make it last year but made it happen in 2021. VERY clean, marked waiting spaces, properly spaced tables, staff wearing masks.....nothing happening that shouldn't be. Now to the food! The good: BBQ pork ribs that the meat falls off the bone with just the right amount of smoke! BBQ shredded pork that was still very juicy and flavorful,,, as was the half chicken. Perfectly executed collard greens, and wonderful potato salad. Now the bad:There is no Sam Jones up or near Massachusetts! the ugly: NOPE! Nothing, nada! The staff so so friendly and helpful! A drink refill was offered before the glass was empty, always more napkins handed out, to go boxes upon request, and everything wiped down with disinfectant after each table cleared, EVERYTHING! if you are in NC, make sure this is a stop along the way. Thank you Sam Jones! read more

Expensive!! Food is great except for the corn bread it sucks. Way too expensive. Go to mission BBQ instead You get way more food at Mission BBQ. You will spend $5 more on a plate where you get less food. read more

I love the food at Sam Jones... not fond of the customer service. The teens are not consistent with their manners or portions. I eat their ribs all the time. This particular time I got about 4 ribs and a end piece for $13.00! Where is the rest of my ribs? I will definitely check my order before leaving. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - 1lpound of ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

We love SJ great options for everyone. Service is always good. Good for nights on the go.

I'm not big on Carolina vinegar bbq, I'm a sweet bbq kinda girl HOWEVER Sam Jones is very good. I got the half a chicken, collard, baked potato, side salad, and sweet potato muffin. My fiancé got chopped pork bbq, collards, potato salad, and sweet potato muffin. All of it was delicious! The chicken was flavorful and juicy (I skipped the bbq sauce to dip it in), collards were juicy and cooked perfectly, the potato salad was tangy and full of chunks of potatoes, and my fiancé was pleased with his bbq. The salad looked great, (it had cornbread croutons), my daughter enjoyed the cheese off of it and the cucumbers, she said the ranch was yummy. My favorite part was the sweet potato muffins, they were so good I now have a recipe! As we walked in all I could think was "it's my birthday and I'm stuck eating vinegar bbq, how did this happen!", however, Sam Jones is definitely worth stopping at! Thank you for the nice birthday lunch! read more

Wonderful BBQ. Mixed Service. The BBQ is Excellent. Counter / Register people are helpful and friendly. Sometimes (like tonight) it is very difficult to get refills on drinks unless you get up from your table and go to the counter. I have had many good meals here. Tonight, taking my two elderly / deaf parents out for a meal there I was not impressed with service on the floor. My mother tried just about every way of getting the young man´s attention several times for refills on water. He seemed to ignore her - even when she made both gestures and sound to get his attention. Usually, when I have been in I am offered refills and even a tea to go. Not this time. My folks = age 80 and 82 respectively enjoyed their food and were also not impressed with the service tonight. They are both Greenville / Farmville (Eastern NC) born and raised. I feel like a little more attention should have been paid - especially for elderly guests (they´re the ones who generally arrange and pay for catering for family reunions in the region - where BBQ is a staple). read more

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If there were only one place you could choose for whole hog wood cooked BBQ... Sam Jones is it! After all, one BBQ joint has to be the best at what they do and Sam Jones BBQ is. read more

Was really glad I stopped in. I ordered the bbq lunch plate with Mac and cheese and baked beans. My son got chicken tenders with fries. It was delicious. The meat was so flavorful it didn't even need sauce. You can tell that the French fries are fresh made in the restaurant/hand cut. Service was great too ! When I was done ordering, the cashier could tell I was struggling to carry my 2 year old along with our drinks/order number. He offered to help me carry the drinks to a table. Servers were very attentive asking if refills were needed and if the meal was okay. When it was time to leave, the server even asked if I needed help bagging my leftovers! My only complaint was that the sweet tea wasn't very sweet. Would definitely come back ! read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Chopped barbecue BBQ Plate with macaroni and Mac N Cheese, Baked Beans and Toast. - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

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If I could only have one item on the menu, it would the smoked chicken wings. The perfect amount of smoky flavor and the crispy skin made this item a must have at Sam Jones. I almost didn't order the pork ribs since they did not look very appetizing in all the pictures that I have seen on yelp. However, I am so glad that I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised at how tender the ribs were. The ribs had strong pork taste, which I personally was not a fan of. I would skip getting the chopped pork here. It was not as good as the chopped pork at Skylight Inn. There were not as many pieces of skin mixed in with the pork and they were kinda soggy. The mac and cheese was very good as well, while the coleslaw really helped cut through the fattiness of the meal. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Amazing smoked wings! - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

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The food is always on point!! There service is always amazing and kind. Keep up the amazing work.

Food is normally very good but today we got the biggest, toughest, fatty ribs I've ever seen. Very disappointed BBQ was Bad BBQ day- greasy and full of vinegar. read more

Sam Jones BBQ - Greasy - Barbeque Near Me - Winterville, North Carolina

Holy pig this place is off the chain. As an NC native, I've tried a LOT of bbq. However, this may be the best bbq I've had! We got the 1/4 chicken & chopped pork, bbq sandwich, fries, collard greens, Mac n cheese & pork skins. Everything was amazing. The skin of the pork is still crunchy when you bite into a piece, it's amazing how they do it! So so so good!!! read more

Wonderful food....always good and fast service. The bbq is good and I like the cornbread, sweet slaw, and let's not forget about the sweet potato muffin. read more