My first real taste of championship barbecue came on a Tuesday afternoon in Benson, when I followed smoke signals to a place I’d heard whispers about for months. The Redneck BBQ Lab sits at 12101-B NC-210, Benson, attached to a gas station of all places, but don’t let that fool you for a second.
Inside, the aroma of hardwood smoke wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold morning. Where else in North Carolina can you find burnt ends that’ll make you forget your own name?
Owned by the award-winning Redneck Scientific competition team, this spot transforms simple meats into smoky masterpieces that have folks lining up before the doors even open. Their walls tell stories through vintage photographs and tobacco baskets, creating an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and exciting…