May 1, 2023
Take part in this tasty holiday by pairing the area’s best barbecue with exciting experiences that are sure to ignite your appetite. Whether your agenda includes a casual outing with friends, a dressed-up date night or a fun day with the kiddos, these local barbecue joints provide the perfect places to eat.
Fuel Up for a High-Energy Day in Concord
Whether it’s power shopping at Concord Mills or horsepower at Charlotte Motor Speedway, be sure to take a barbecue break during your adventure-filled day. With spots throughout the South, Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q is a popular regional barbecue restaurant. Stop in the Concord location for a pulled pork sandwich Carolina-style, doused in vinegar sauce, topped with a dollop of coleslaw and served with their famous cheese biscuits. Opt for indulgent sides such as mac and cheese and beans or choose the slaw or greens to feel lighter on your feet after lunch. Just up I-85 from Concord Mills, R&R Bar-B-Que mixes up the traditional pork plate with chicken and ribs and fried corn on the cob. And you don’t want to miss their homemade banana pudding for dessert!
There are even more must-visit stops for ‘cue in Concord. Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers has two locations where barbecue connoisseurs can enjoy a meal perfected with seasonings and sauces made from family recipes. Stop by their location on Pitts School Road or find them inside the Gibson Mill Market food hall alongside other local eats. The Smoke Pit serves up their famous smoked meats accompanied by an array of mouthwatering sides. Sample a variety with a plate or combo, or try your barbecue piled high on top of a Super Spud or Southern Salad.
Enjoy BBQ and a Brew in Harrisburg
For a barbecue joint with a beer list as flavorful as their food menu, visit Pharr Mill Brewing & BBQ in Harrisburg or Concord. This restaurant and brewery combo has perfected their craft with hazy IPAs, fruit-forward sours, juicy ales, creamy stouts and golden lagers. Pairing their brews with Southern barbecue staples just made sense. Try the street tacos made with brisket and pork belly burnt ends and topped with made-from-scratch pickled onions, or the loaded nachos and loaded mac and cheese.
Q’s and ‘Cue in Kannapolis
At Atrium Health Ballpark, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are celebrating barbecue in a big way by becoming the Kannapolis Q’s! The team will undergo the identity change for their home games on May 5-7 paying homage to North Carolina barbecue and as a tribute to the city’s renowned “Jiggy With The Piggy” festival. Taking place in downtown on May 4-7, this Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event also features family-friendly entertainment, concerts, and plenty of delicious food to enjoy.
Can’t make it to Kannapolis then? The Ballers also have home games on May 16-21, 29 and 31. Grab lunch or dinner from any of the mouthwatering barbecue restaurants across Cabarrus, then head over to root for the home team! Baseball fans will also find plenty of delicious ballpark fare onsite from Boomer’s Bistro.
Barbecue and Bourbon in Mt. Pleasant
Pop into Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse for wings, brisket, chicken and more cooked low and slow. While in town, take a tour of Southern Grace, a prison-turned-distillery that crafts award-winning spirits. Inside the gift shop, you’ll find the perfect barbecuing companions to take home as souvenirs including Angel’s Share sauces. You can also sample the local spirit while visiting downtown at 73 & Main. Try the baby back ribs, slow roasted and smothered in Southern Grace Distilleries BBQ sauce, with classic fries or a signature side like sweet potato tots served with praline butter. For the perfect match, pair your meal with something from the bourbon bar or a small-batch brew from the restaurant’s in-house craft beer creators, Old Well Brewery.
Let’s Eat!
During National Barbecue Month and beyond, find even more places to savor finger-lickin’ barbecue throughout Cabarrus County.
