Growing up in NC, summertime meant one thing: sitting cross-legged on a paper plate, dodging drips of tangy vinegar sauce as my fingers dug into a pile of smoky pulled pork.
My granddad swore by Eastern style, while my aunt’s family’s Lexington recipes were a closely guarded secret.
Today, those memories lead me to the state’s 15 best barbecue counters-each a slice of home, whether you’re savoring the earthy simplicity of Eastern slow-smoke or Lexington’s sweet, smoky hug…