Jeff, Bruce and Sam Jones outside their family’s “Capital of BBQ” the one and only Skylight Inn
An epicentre of epicurean wonder (as long as you love whole hog BBQ), Pitt County is a prime destination for some of the best tasting meat in America. I had no idea so much good BBQ could come from such a concentrated and largely rural area.
Yes sirree bob! I was blown away by the quality and quantity of BBQ in Pitt County. By this point in my trip I’d been on the road for more than two weeks and had visited already some of America’s best BBQ restaurants (by any account). So, to have been so taken by how exceptionally tender, moist and flavoursome the BBQ around these parts was surprised the heck out of me and my lucky taste buds. The warm reception and hokey deadpan humour stupefied as well – and had me smiling and laughing more than probably anywhere else I stopped along my route.
Judy, one of the three sister proprietors of B’s Barbecue, explained that although the menu had not changed more than a tweak or two in the 38 years their restaurant has been open, they were thinking of added “that avocado stuff” to keep up with the times.
Larry Dennis of Bum’s Restaurant explained to me with the greatest poker face ever how he had a photo on his phone from the early days of his multigenerational family eatery – only to take a minute or two to dig up a picture of cavemen gathered round a fire. He went on to tell me how 500,000 years ago his ancestors used to hunt down and roast hogasaurus. But the joking stopped when any convo turned to how best to smoke a pig. It’s serious matter not to be taken lightly.
B’s Barbecue
751 Bs Barbecue Road, Greenville, North Carolina 27858
Opened in 1977 by William and Peggy McLawhorn, B’s Barbecue today is run by their daughters Donna, Tammy, and Judy. And folks still don’t mind driving for miles and lining up for the traditional smoked pork they do just like their parents taught ‘em. It’s the “best things since snuff” according to Donna. They’ve even got their own street named after the restaurant. It’s worth a drive too – I loved my meal and the homey “joint” atmosphere.
There ain’t no website, but here’s an informative and loving online tribute: ncbbqsociety.com/trail_pages/bs_bbq_large.html.
Bum’s Restaurant
566 3rd Street, Ayden, North Carolina 28513
As downhome as it gets, this multi-generation family-owned and run restaurant in downtown Ayden does southern food and slow smoked whole hog BBQ to perfection. Twenty-hour wood smoked whole hog cooked, a plateful of homegrown veggies, and an opportunity to cut up and share a laugh made my lunch at Bum’s one of the most memorable of my trip.
Find out more at bumsrestaurant.com.
Skylight Inn
4618 S Lee Street, Ayden, North Carolina 28513
For a mouthful of the most delicious BBQ you can’t even comprehend without trying for yourself, go to Skylight. Seriously – that was the best stuff I ever tasted. Third generation proprietor Sam Jones sees no reason to “bastardise what made me and my family.” God bless the man for that! What “made” Sam and his family since 1947 is 16-18 hour wood-smoked and “dirt raised” whole hog chopped and blended with some skin left in for flavour and a bit of crunch. Sam is however keen to expand his vision with a new Sam Jones BBQ in Greenville to open soon with the same adherence to tradition and principle but fancier digs and a broader menu.
More: skylightinnbbq.com.
Beyond the Q
Hilton Greenville
207 Greenville Boulevard Southwest, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
Comfortable and convenient – and like everything else in Pitt County encountered with a hearty welcome – the Hilton in Greenville was an ideal hotel during my stay. For more information, go to hilton.com.
Villedge Woodfired Kitchen & Bar
Hilton Greenville, 207 Greenville Boulevard Southwest, Greenville, North Carolina 27834
This farm-to-table restaurant inside the Hilton was an excellent place to enjoy traditional southern cuisine with a fine dining sophistication and wood fired flatbreads. There’s an amazing selection of local beer too. I could go for another Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale from nearby Farmville. Visit the restaurant online at villedgenc.com.
More
Learn more about Greenville and Pitt County at visitgreenvillenc.com and the great state of North Carolina at visitnc.com. For loads of help planning your trip to anywhere in the States, go to VisitTheUSA.com. And please be sure to keep an eye out for more BBQ Bound posts to come!
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