I've been to over 120 different BBQ establishments in both east and west North Carolina in the last 4 years. I've seen them come and go. Of those 120 restaurants, Allen & Son is consistantly in my top 5 in the state. What people must understand about BBQ cooked over wood is that you're not going to get consistancy. That is what makes it GREAT! You want consistancy? Go to Smithfields, or the countless places that cook with gas or electric, believe me there are plenty of them out there. But when you cook with wood, it's hard if not impossible, to create consistant Que. You can get close, but not consistant day in and day out. You want proof? Try cooking a pig over wood. I've cooked 20 pigs myself over wood and coals and each one turned out different. That's why I admire places like Allen & Son and a few others. You can taste the SMOKE in the meat. It's slow cooked to the point that it nearly MELTS in your mouth. Allen and Son put more than just time in cooking their Que...they put LOVE into it. And you can taste that love. You don't need the sause to enhance or mask the Que at Allen & Son. It comes out ready to eat. Unless you like it spicy, adding sause to Allen & Son's BBQ is insulting! They have the best homemade fries I've tasted. Oh, and just to warn you, they're not consistant either, but when you make homemade fries, they're not supposed to be like McDonalds. Their deserts are fabulous too. Pick one....any one!
Pros: Excellent BBQ. Cooked over wood.
Cons: They're not open 7 days a week.
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