There’s something magical that happens when smoke meets meat for hours on end in the hills of western North Carolina.
At 12 Bones Smokehouse in Arden, that magic has created a barbecue destination so compelling that folks will happily drive across the state just for a single meal.
The modest exterior might not scream “world-class barbecue” to the uninitiated, but locals know better – this converted service center houses some of the most crave-worthy smoked meats in the South.
As you pull into the gravel parking lot, you’ll notice the collection of picnic tables outside – the first hint that you’re about to experience something decidedly unpretentious yet extraordinary…