Cooper's Bbq & Catering

Even though I live on the Outer Banks of NC, and moved from Raleigh over 20 years ago, I have been able to stop by Cooper's and get some "BBQ to go" throughout this time. I read the reviews before I left to go to Raleigh last weekend. I thought the bad reviews were written by someone who did not know what they were talking about. After buying 2 lbs. of coarse to go, spending almost $20, (no credit cards, no checks, just cash) according to the man with no social graces whatsoever behind the cash register, I could not wait to make a sandwich. Major disappointment! Whatever I got that they call BBQ, and have the nerve to say it is Cooper's BBQ are nuts! This was worthless and the waitress, who was nice, said that somebody bought it out 3 years ago. I wish I had paid more attention to the poor reviews before I wasted my money. Pathetic. Don't waste your time or money to find a parking space downtown to get that BBQ, unless you have never had Cooper's, so you would not know the difference anyway. And those who think that this is good BBQ and gave this place a good review, well, your taste is questionable. more

this food is the BEST. it's clean bbq, the taste Pros: clean bbq, fried chicken & ribs etc. Cons: really busy during lunch more

As someone who is from Lexington, NC I have to admit that I came to this site looking for a good BBQ restaurant. I seen Cooper's and I believed all these reviews but in all honesty it was terrible. The chopped BBQ was bland, dry, and basically minced. The brunswick stew was weird and probably from a can. The best part was the hush puppies and pork skins who were lukewarm and chewy. Pros: Nothing Cons: Everything is terrible and has terrible service. Even the OWNER is lazy!!! more

First the disclaimers.... I am a Yankee, I am not an expert with BBQ. But, I am a CIA grad, have been in the food business for over 20 years and manage a very upscale Long Island country club with a serious, top notch chef. I have a smoker at home and am learning authentic, 10 hours on the smoker BBQ. In other words, I am a food educated Yankee. Pros: Unbelieveable BBQ Cons: Very casual. It is what it is. more

For anyone who is expecting sweet/sour red and thick bbq sauce, forget it. This is eastern NC BBQ, which is in a class by itself. It's tender, pulled pork slow cooked in a vinegar based sauce served up with hush puppies and slaw. Pros: Good food, fast friendly service, typical Eastern NC BBQ, convenient location Cons: It ain't the Ritz more

I came to this place with great expectations and found that the food was cold, tasted bland and overall feel of the resturtant was that of a outhouse. Very small and cramped sitting, service was horrible, and dirty. I was sitting in one of very very small 2 top booths with a party of 4. Of course they cram you into these extremely small spaces. When I get up to get out a screw that was out on the seat rips my pants as I am trying to get up. I tell the manager and she was very sarcastic like I am very sorry all the time laughing under her sarcastic caring attitude. Pros: None Cons: Food is bad, and resturant is small and crowded. more

Our family reunion was catered by Cooper's. The server, Mike, was excellent. He was concerned with our needs and even packed to go boxes for us. :) I had to go back for 2nd's, 3rd's & more. haha The barbecue is the best. It is seasoned so well, that you don't even need the sauce. The potatoes, slaw and hush puppies are awesome too! Pros: fresh & tasty Cons: none more

I frequent Coopers weekly for their lunch special. $3.75 for a bbq sandwich, fries, hush puppies and sweet tea. You can't go wrong with that! My only gripe--parking is hard to find downtown. Pros: bbq!!, hush puppies, value/price Cons: parking more

Cooper's Bar B Que is number one. Great, non-greasy bar-b-que, friendly staff, hushpuppies are superb, the slaw is edible, and of course the iced tea. Can't wait to get back there at Christmas. My wife, son (lives in Colorado) will all have lunch together at least once while in Raleigh visiting relatives. Pros: Not greasy, friendly, Great taste more

If you're looking for a real lunch, with out much fuss, you've found the place. Quick in and out, and the food is great. more

Pretty good, but average, NC barbeque. The fried seafood ain't too shabby, neither. The location is very tough if you don't work downtown, though. more

For chopped barbedue, there is none better. I cannot believe someone would even to begin to put a Chain restaurant above "hometown". more

The restaurant was clean, waitresses friendly, food was served hot and was delicious. The best fried chicken in the triangle, crisp and moist. Pros: Inespensive Cons: parking on street more

Where else can you step back in time and enjoy some great BBQ. Great place to take out. Whole Fried Chicken, 1lb BBQ, 1 Qt. Potato Salad, 1Qt Slaw, 1 doz Hush Puppies for about $20? Their cash register might be stuck in 1955. more

I come from NY and moved to NC and I must say the best barbecue in NC is Coopers. It's always fresh and tasty. Pros: great food, good prices, always busy Cons: parking more

Delicious Barbecue...flavored just right, chicken...barbecued and fried...is out of sight...great service and food priced to meet anyone's budget...Cooper's Barbecue and Catering is the one! Pros: Inexpensive, Great Food, Good Service Cons: Sometimes Crowded more

Best barbecue and I have eaten a lot. You can sliced and their slaw and hush puppies are the best. Also, the chicken is great. It is not fried and thus is not greasy. more

If you want pulled pork vinegar based BBQ ala eastern NC you have to to Coopers. It's not the most sensational eatery around but it delivers on the name. It's BBQ and it's BBQ done right. I just finished a 1/2 pound and I feel very very good. Not too hot... not to wet... not to tough... just right. Growing up in coastal NC means going to pig pickin' after pig pickin' and this place is a taste from the past. Pros: price, taste, speed Cons: parking, heartburn, hours more