Kinston, North Carolina, is such a cool place for BBQ lovers like me! I’ve tasted so many delicious dishes here, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you. This guide is all about the best BBQ spots in Kinston, and I promise you’ll find some amazing places to eat.
So, what’s the best BBQ in Kinston, NC? Well, the best BBQ in Kinston, NC, comes from places like Kings Restaurant, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q, and Jessie Bell’s Restaurant. Each spot has its own special flavors and styles that make them stand out, and trust me, you’re going to want to try them all!
Get ready to dive into the tasty world of Kinston’s BBQ! I’ll tell you all about the top restaurants, what yummy dishes they serve, and why each one is a must-visit for anyone who loves BBQ as much as I do.
Top 10 BBQ in Kinston, NC
- Kings Restaurant
- Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
- Oak Bridge Store & Grill
- Jessie Bell’s Restaurant
- The Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer
- King’s Restaurant
- Will strictly turkey BBQ
- East Coast Wings + Grill
- Cook Out
- Grill Depot
1. Kings Restaurant
Phone: (800) 332-6465
Menu: www.kingsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Kings Restaurant is one of my favorite BBQ places in Kinston, NC! When I first walked in, I could smell the yummy smoked pork, and it made my mouth water. The vibe is super cozy, and everyone there is really nice, which makes you feel right at home.
What I love about Kings is their hand-chopped BBQ. It’s so tasty and juicy! The ribs are fall-off-the-bone good, and their special BBQ sauce is just perfect. If you go, you have to try the pulled pork sandwich. It’s a classic, and it really shows how great their BBQ is!
Whether you eat inside or get it to go, Kings Restaurant is always a great choice. And don’t forget to grab some coleslaw on the side—it goes perfectly with the BBQ!
2. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q is one of my go-to places in Kinston, and I just can’t get enough! When I walked in for the first time, the yummy smell of fried chicken and BBQ made my stomach growl. The place feels super friendly and casual, which is perfect for hanging out with friends or family.
What I really love about Smithfield’s is their Eastern North Carolina-style BBQ. It’s served with this amazing vinegar-based sauce that’s so tasty! I always order the BBQ plate with fried chicken because it’s just the best combo. The chicken is crispy and juicy, and the BBQ has that perfect tangy flavor.
Oh, and you have to try their hushpuppies! They’re the perfect side to go with everything. Whether you eat there or take it home, you’re going to love it!
3. Oak Bridge Store & Grill
Phone: (252) 520-3503
Menu: oakbridge.my.canva.site
Directions: Open on Map
Oak Bridge Store & Grill is one of my favorite spots in Kinston! The first time I went there, I was welcomed by the friendly staff and the yummy smell of BBQ in the air. It has such a chill vibe, perfect for just hanging out and enjoying some great food.
What really makes Oak Bridge special is their smoked brisket. Oh my gosh, it’s so tender and tasty! I always get the brisket sandwich because it’s just packed with flavor and served on soft, fresh bread.
And you have to try their baked beans! They’re homemade and super delicious. Whether you eat there or take it home, Oak Bridge Store & Grill is a place you don’t want to miss!
4. Jessie Bell’s Restaurant
Jessie Bell’s Restaurant is one of my favorite places in Kinston! When I first walked in, I felt so cozy and welcomed by the friendly staff. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to enjoy some yummy BBQ with family or friends.
What really makes Jessie Bell’s special is their smoked meats. I always order the pulled pork plate because it’s super tender and full of flavor! The BBQ sauce they use is just right—not too spicy, but with a nice kick that makes every bite delicious.
And you have to try their cornbread! It’s so fluffy and goes perfectly with the BBQ. Whether you eat there or take it home, Jessie Bell’s Restaurant is a place you definitely don’t want to miss!
5. The Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer
Phone: (252) 208-2433
Menu: www.vivianhoward.com
Directions: Open on Map
The Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer is such a cool place in Kinston! I remember when I first went there; it felt really special and fancy, but still super cozy. The vibe is just perfect, and I was so excited to try their creative dishes.
What makes The Kitchen Bar stand out is how they use fresh, local ingredients. I totally recommend the smoked BBQ pork belly—it’s so tender and full of flavor! You can really taste how much care they put into making it.
And if you can, try their seasonal sides! They’re always fresh and really yummy. Whether you eat there or take it home, The Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer is a great place to enjoy a special meal!
6. King’s Restaurant
Phone: (252) 527-1661
Menu: www.kingsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
King’s Restaurant is one of my favorite BBQ places in Kinston! I still remember the first time I walked in; the yummy smell of smoked meats made my mouth water right away. The place feels so friendly and welcoming, which is perfect for enjoying a meal with family or friends.
What really makes King’s special is their hand-chopped BBQ. It’s super juicy and full of flavor! I always get the BBQ plate because it comes with a big helping of tender meat and tasty sides. Their homemade BBQ sauce is just the right amount of sweet and tangy!
And you have to try their coleslaw! It’s creamy and goes perfectly with the BBQ. Whether you eat there or take it home, King’s Restaurant is a place you definitely don’t want to miss!
7. Will strictly turkey BBQ
Will Strictly Turkey BBQ is such a cool place in Kinston! I remember the first time I went there; I was really excited to try a restaurant that only serves turkey BBQ. When I walked in, the yummy smell of smoked turkey filled the air, and I couldn’t wait to dig in!
What makes Will Strictly Turkey BBQ special is how they cook their turkey. I always get the smoked turkey plate because it’s super juicy and so full of flavor! They really know how to make it taste amazing, and the BBQ sauce they have is just perfect.
If you go, you should also try their turkey sandwiches—they’re really tasty and great for a quick meal. Whether you eat there or take it home, Will Strictly Turkey BBQ is a fun spot for turkey lovers!
8. East Coast Wings + Grill
Phone: (252) 686-0922
Menu: www.eastcoastwings.com
Directions: Open on Map
East Coast Wings + Grill is such a fun spot in Kinston! I remember the first time I went there; I was super excited to try all the yummy chicken wings. The place has a lively vibe, and everyone is so friendly, which makes it a great place to hang out with friends.
What really makes East Coast Wings special is their huge selection of wing flavors. I always get the BBQ wings because they’re smoky and really tasty! Plus, you can pick how spicy you want them, which is awesome for everyone.
And don’t forget to try their loaded fries! They’re super cheesy and delicious. Whether you eat there or take it home, East Coast Wings + Grill is a must-visit for wing fans!
9. Cook Out
Phone: (866) 547-0011
Menu: www.cookout.com
Directions: Open on Map
Cook Out is such a fun place to grab a quick meal in Kinston! I still remember the first time I went there; I was super excited to try their BBQ and burgers. The drive-thru is really easy to use, and the staff is always so nice, which makes it a great spot for a fast and tasty meal.
What I love about Cook Out is their huge menu! I always get the BBQ tray because it’s so yummy and comes with a big serving of pulled pork. Plus, you can pick two sides, which is really cool!
And don’t forget about their milkshakes! They have over 40 flavors, and I love getting a chocolate peanut butter one. Whether you eat there or take it home, Cook Out is a great place for a quick and delicious meal!
10. Grill Depot
Directions: Open on Map
Grill Depot is such a fun place in Kinston! I remember the first time I went there; I was super excited to try their BBQ. The atmosphere is really nice and relaxed, and the staff is always so friendly, which makes you feel right at home.
What I love about Grill Depot is their yummy smoked meats. I always get the smoked chicken because it’s super juicy and packed with flavor! They really know how to cook it just right, and their BBQ sauce is so good!
If you visit, you should also try their crispy fries—they’re the perfect side to go with the BBQ. Whether you eat there or take it home, Grill Depot is a great spot for BBQ lovers!
Map of BBQ in Kinston, NC
Choosing the Right Restaurant for You
With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Restaurant | Price | Seating | Takeout | Delivery | Wheelchair | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Restaurant | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Oak Bridge Store & Grill | – | – | – | – | Accessible | – |
| Jessie Bell’s Restaurant | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| The Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer | Expensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | Yes |
| King’s Restaurant | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Will strictly turkey BBQ | – | Yes | Yes | No | – | – |
| East Coast Wings + Grill | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Cook Out | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Grill Depot | – | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | – |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the best BBQ restaurants in Kinston, NC?
Some of my favorite BBQ spots in Kinston are Kings Restaurant, Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q, and Oak Bridge Store & Grill. Each place has its own yummy flavors and styles that make them really special! -
Is there BBQ that caters to different dietary preferences in Kinston?
Yes! Lots of BBQ places in Kinston have options like turkey BBQ and even some vegetarian sides. It’s always good to check the menu or ask the staff for what they recommend! -
What is Eastern North Carolina-style BBQ?
Eastern North Carolina-style BBQ is super tasty and known for its vinegar-based sauce and slow-cooked pork. It really highlights the natural flavors of the meat, and it’s a local favorite! -
Are there any BBQ places with outdoor seating in Kinston?
Yes, there are! Several BBQ spots in Kinston, like Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q and The Kitchen Bar @ Chef and the Farmer, have outdoor seating. It’s a nice way to enjoy your meal when the weather is nice! -
Can I get BBQ to go in Kinston?
Absolutely! Most BBQ restaurants in Kinston, like Cook Out and Grill Depot, offer takeout options. You can enjoy your favorite BBQ at home or wherever you want! -
What are some popular BBQ dishes to try in Kinston?
You definitely have to try pulled pork sandwiches, smoked turkey plates, and BBQ ribs. Each restaurant has its own yummy specialties, so be sure to check out the menu! -
Do Kinston BBQ restaurants offer catering services?
Yes, many BBQ places in Kinston, like Kings Restaurant, offer catering for events. It’s a great way to bring delicious BBQ to your next party or gathering!
