If you know anything about the culinary exploits of the American South, you know that barbecue is a major part of the experience. Although the cuisine is a staple of many states in the region, North Carolina is known for its unique style, even offering a barbecue trail through old-school smokehouses seeped in tradition. Charlotte is no stranger to good eats, and we’ve highlighted the five best affordable barbecue restaurants within the city limits.
For this list, we focused on a few criteria. Although upscale and high-end BBQ joints are delicious, we wanted to highlight more budget-friendly options. Specifically, we looked at spots that offer a variety of options for around $20 per person or less. Next, online reviews helped guide us to the best of the best restaurants — we didn’t just look at star ratings but also the number of reviews. Finally, we made sure to only highlight regional joints instead of nationwide chains. You may notice that a few of our picks have multiple locations in the Carolinas, but we avoided barbecue spots found in various states to get a taste of true North Carolina cuisine.
Midwood Smokehouse – Plaza Midwood
Midwood Smokehouse has three locations in the greater Charlotte area, all of which have over 4.5 stars on Google. However, the Plaza Midwood location has over 6,300 reviews at the time of this writing, making it the most well-reviewed spot on our list. Which makes sense, considering it’s in Charlotte’s most eclectic neighborhood with funky art, vintage shops, and dive bars.
But before we dive into what the guests are saying, let’s break down Midwood’s affordability. When looking at barbecue plates on the menu, eight options are $20 or less, including brisket and burnt ends. Alternatively, you can get tacos or sandwiches for less than $20, with some options (like the brisket sandwich) going for less than $15. Even if you order the most expensive dish on the menu (a full rack of ribs), your total will be less than $40, and you’ll likely have leftovers. Party packs that feed two to 10 people range from $30 to $80…