Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Durham, according to Yelp

Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.

The earliest origins of barbecue can be , who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was .

As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.

No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Durham using data from . Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.

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Yelp

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#24. Ole NC BBQ

- Rating: 2.0/5 (14 reviews)
- Address: 3600 N Duke St Ste 17 Durham, NC 27704
- Categories: Barbecue, Soul Food, Caterers
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Yelp

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#23. Texas Roadhouse

- Rating: 3.0/5 (266 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1809 N Pointe Dr Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue, American (Traditional)
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Yelp

3 / 24

#22. Maverick's Smokehouse & Taproom

- Rating: 3.5/5 (250 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 900 W Main St Durham, NC 27701
- Categories: Smokehouse, Barbecue
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Yelp

4 / 24

#21. The Dog House

- Rating: 3.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5279 N Roxboro Rd Durham, NC 27712
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbecue
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Yelp

5 / 24

#20. Danny's Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 3.5/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2945 S Miami Blvd Ste 118 Durham, NC 27703
- Categories: Barbecue
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Yelp

6 / 24

#19. Bullock's Bar-B-Q

- Rating: 3.5/5 (220 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3330 Quebec Dr Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Barbecue
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Yelp

7 / 24

#18. The Dog House

- Rating: 4.0/5 (15 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2009 Guess Rd Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbecue, Shaved Ice
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Yelp

8 / 24

#17. Home Plate Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3327 Holloway St Durham, NC 27703
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue, Salad
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Yelp

9 / 24

#16. Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q

- Rating: 4.0/5 (193 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2419 Guess Rd Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Barbecue
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Yelp

10 / 24

#15. City Barbeque

- Rating: 4.0/5 (383 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 208 West N Carolina 54 Durham, NC 27713
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers, American (Traditional)
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Yelp

11 / 24

#14. Picnic

- Rating: 4.0/5 (383 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1647 Cole Mill Rd Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Barbecue, Bars, Sandwiches
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Yelp

12 / 24

#13. Tony Roma's Durham

- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 151 Tatum Dr Ste 100 Durham, NC 27703
- Categories: American (Traditional), Barbecue, Seafood
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Yelp

13 / 24

#12. The Blue Note Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (210 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 709 Washington St Durham, NC 27701
- Categories: American (Traditional), Barbecue, Music Venues
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Yelp

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#11. It's a Southern thing: Kitchen and Bar

- Rating: 4.0/5 (563 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 605 W Main St Ste A Durham, NC 27701
- Categories: Southern, Bars, Barbecue
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Yelp

15 / 24

#10. Backyard BBQ Pit

- Rating: 4.0/5 (946 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5122 Nc Hwy 55 Durham, NC 27713
- Categories: Barbecue, Southern
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Yelp

16 / 24

#9. The Original Q Shack

- Rating: 4.0/5 (720 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2510 University Dr Durham, NC 27707
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
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Yelp

17 / 24

#8. Byrd's Barbecue

- Rating: 4.0/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2816 Cheek Rd Durham, NC 27703
- Categories: Barbecue, Breakfast & Brunch
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Yelp

18 / 24

#7. Lawrence Barbecue

- Rating: 4.0/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 900 Park Offices Dr Ste 120 Durham, NC 27709
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers
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Yelp

19 / 24

#6. Sympathy For the Deli

- Rating: 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Durham, NC 27701
- Categories: Delis, Food Trucks, Barbecue
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Yelp

20 / 24

#5. Itaewon Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2608 Erwin Rd Ste 132 Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Ramen
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Yelp

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#4. Bulkogi at Boxyard RTP

- Rating: 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 900 Park Offices Dr Durham, NC 27703
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
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Yelp

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#3. Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen

- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3219 Old Chapel Hill Rd Durham, NC 27707
- Categories: Southern, Cajun/Creole, Barbecue
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Yelp

23 / 24

#2. KoKyu

- Rating: 4.5/5 (168 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 245 NC-54 Ste 105 Durham, NC 27713
- Categories: Barbecue, Asian Fusion, Beer Gardens
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Yelp

24 / 24

#1. Moe's Original BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2014 Hillsborough Rd Durham, NC 27705
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches, Chicken Wings
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