It’s that time of year when we want the sunshine, beers, and barbecue all to ourselves in Wilmington. Something about smokey meats and homemade sides can signal the start of summer and good times along our coast. Below, we put together all the local (and local-ish) barbecue spots on our BBQ Bucket List. Check out all these favorite spots to start your summer off right.

Southern Smoke BBQ

Matthew Register never set out to be a chef, just a guy cooking for his community. But to his delight, he created a tiny spot celebrated in magazines from Our State to Garden & Gun. Southern Smoke BBQ took off in the North Carolina food community while hosting their South Supper Series — a series of sold-out dinners held in the restaurant’s backyard. Find traditional whole hog barbecue and a list of rotating gourmet sides like brown butter creamed corn, Brunswick stew, and more. Check out their Facebook page for hours, as Southern Smoke is typically only open Thursdays and Fridays. 

Caseys Buffet

Pigs feet, barbecue, fried chicken — Casey’s Buffet has just about every Southern staple you could dream up. This is a perfect spot to warm up on a cold winter day or order big helpings of food for a crowd. Once upon a time North Carolina’s barbecue expert Bob Garner stopped at Casey’s and helped himself to some great barbecue on the PBS show North Carolina Weekend. Because of the wide variety of southern foods here and the traditional way of doing BBQ, it is a must-see hole-in-the-wall.

Moe’s Original 

There is plenty of North Carolina or even Eastern North Carolina, barbecue to go around — but what about barbecue from Alabama? Moe’s Original BBQ was founded in Alabama decades ago as two pit masters sought to bring out the best in southern foodways. Today there are locations all over Alabama and the South. Wilmington’s location is off Oleander Drive. Check out the smoked turkey sandwich or their smoked chicken served with pickles and famous Alabama white barbecue sauce. 

Jacksons Big Oak BBQ

This Wilmington staple tucked away on Kerr Avenue may be one of Wilmington’s oldest remaining barbecue spots. Don’t expect hipster barbecue fanfare here like adobo sauce, micro greens or metal trays. Jackson’s is old school. Instead, you’ll find whole hog barbecue, hush puppies, slaw, fried flounder, fried pork chops, shrimp sandwiches, and banana pudding. Jackson’s does not have a website, but you can find it at 920 S. Kerr Ave. in Wilmington. 

Mac’s Speed Shop

Founded in Charlotte, Mac’s has expanded through North Carolina and Tennessee. Founders Wynn Davis and Hall Johnston were not in the food business before starting Mac’s but knew they loved barbecue, beer, and their motorbikes. They sought out pitmasters and chefs and years later Wilmington is enjoying the fruits of their labor. 

Leland Smoke House

Wood smoked barbecue and homemade sides are Leland Smoke House’s bread and butter. Check out their pulled pork sandwich, brisket, and all their smoked meats, cooked with a unique dry rub. According to the Smoke House, plenty of customers don’t use a sauce as the dry rub is tasty enough, but should you be so inclined they have seven homemade versions to try. 

Carolina Smokehouse

It’s not often you can find barbecue with a view, but at Carolina Smokehouse you can enjoy the best of Carolina’s pig pickin’ and the best of North Carolina beaches. Sit on their rooftop patio on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk and bite into a barbecue sandwich, burger, and a basket of fries. 

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