Here are the rec’s from our loyal group of foodie-librarians. You can search the listings by state, type of sauce, type of food, or the ASERL institution where the recommendation originated — almost anything. You’ll find a few spots that have been recommended more than once: Check out each description to get the inside scoop from multiple barbecue lovers. ENJOY!
Real Q
4885 Country Club Rd
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104
NC
https://www.real-q.com/
Nearby University: Wake Forest University
Approximate distance from Wake Forest University: 5 to 10 miles
Description:
You may see smoke rising when you drive up, because this is authentic NC Lexington-style barbecue that is still cooked over wood, not gas. Traditional, old-school NC barbecue is pork, and Lexington-style means that it is shoulder-only (not whole hog as in the Eastern part of the state), and it has tomato in the vinegar-based sauce (known as dip in this part of NC). Traditionally, slaw at a Lexington-style place is red too, because the dressing is vinegar with tomato and spices, but Real Q also offers cole slaw with a mayonnaise dressing. The hush puppies are among the best to be found, with a round shape, a little bit of onion, not too sweet, and not too greasy. Get a Cheerwine, a cherry cola from Salisbury, NC, or the sweet tea. A chopped tray, which comes with slaw (either kind) and a choice of hush puppies or roll (hamburger bun) is a typical order, but ordering a plate lets you choose two sides. Recommended besides the slaw: potato salad, baked beans, fried okra, or Brunswick stew (wintertime only). Portions are generous, but find room to try the banana pudding, a traditional dessert with NC bbq. Real Q has barbecued chicken on Fridays and Saturdays. The Wednesday special is a half or whole rack of pit cooked ribs. Don’t worry about the crowded parking lot, they serve up take-out speedily and the place is very popular. There are a few outside tables, very nice in good weather, and with strong fans when it starts to get warm. Credit cards are now accepted, but with today’s typical surcharge. This place gets rave reviews not only from locals, but also from bbq afficionados across the state.
If you could only eat one item on the menu:
A chopped bbq tray with hush puppies (slaw is included)
Menu:
What type of entrees are available:
Pork, Chicken, Fish/Seafood, Ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, variety of sandwiches
For traditional (“Southern”) barbecue restaurants: What type(s) of sauces are available?
Vinegar, Red/Tomato
Other:
Locally owned