If BBQ were a religion, North Carolina would be the Holy Land. Families have been debating eastern whole-hog versus western Lexington-style for generations.
And nobody is backing down. Think Montagues and Capulets, except with wood splits and secret rubs passed down like treasure. North Carolina barbecue isn’t just food, it’s a rite of passage.
From the coastal plains of Greenville to the misty mountains of Dillsboro, smoke curls from every pit like incense, and the aroma alone could start a pilgrimage. Whether you’re a die-hard whole-hog purist or here for red slaw piled high on chopped pork, there’s a smokehouse calling your name…