"The City on the Rise" was once home to two of the greatest BBQ joints, ever, with Buck Overton’s and Bob Melton’s historically putting Rocky Mount on the map. I was blessed to have both in my “backyard” growing up and their barbecue (and Brunswick stew) set the high bar for my BBQ journey. Super sad that the best ‘cue in RM these days is a chain. Gardner's Barbecue is a dried-up version of its once-wonderful self and there's one else close-by offering traditional Carolina 'cue (that's open for an after church lunch, anyway). While Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is more than suitable on a Down East Sunday visit with my Dad, it pales in comparison to God's creation of the OG ‘cue I devoured in my youth. 7.5/10.
Comments