Allen & Son Pit Cooked Bar-B-Q

The stacks of hickory wood out back are the first hint. The tea only comes sweet would be the second. This place is the real deal. To be honest, I've never strayed from ordering the pulled pork, so can't comment on anything else, but it is the best I've ever had. Try to go most every time I'm in Chapel Hill, but they seem to take long vacations from time to time. Call before you go! more

I've been here twice & have really enjoyed the food. The atmosphere isn't that great, but it's a bbq joint, not a posh restaurant. The Brunswick Stew is filling & excellent, & the barbeque is tender & flavorful... wood-smoked out back. more

Had read alot about this place. Went there july 2nd 2011. Very dissapointing, dirty looking, sanitation rating only 91.0. Food was okay, nothing to write home about. I've had much better bbq and sides. It was pricey but that wouldn't matter if they lived up to their reputation. Maybe it's just seen better days. more

I'm literally sitting in the restaurant right now, the portions are a joke. I just payed $8 for a snack. They won't substitute anything either. Seriously, don't come here unless you can afford to buy 2 over priced dinners to fill you up. It is tasty, but I'm only a 160 lb male and this is not even close to a small meal, its tiny. Not a good bbq house. Sorry. more

Great BBQ, reasonable prices. I highly recommend it. more

Allen and Son's is fantastic! When I was in college, my department used them to cater most of our functions and it was much appreciated. When I moved back to town, I decided to check them out and I was not disappointed. It's the perfect little bbq joint. more

I have previously praised Allen and Sons as the best in NC. No more. Recent trips and conversations with other BBQ lovers have convinced me that they are off their game. Too often, I have seen large chunks of gristle, an unpleasant moment. If you can get around this --and I cannot -- the BBQ is good. Pros: Good quality meat outside of the gristle Cons: Large chunks of gristle more

After reading the reviews on Citysearch I was conflicted by the wide range of opinions about Allen and Son BBQ so I decided to give it a try myself. Without reservation or hesistation I can say that Allen and Sons is the genuine article. Their bbq is ""exactly"" what is meant by the term ""North Carolina Barbeque"" Simply stated if you don't like Allen and Son's barbeque you don't like ""North Carolina"" barbeque. In an age of convenience where gas cookers and machine shredders are all the rage, Allen and Son has held true to tradition bronzing their shoulders over live hickory coals and chopping it all by hand. Yes the texture is varied, and yes you may find one big ole' hunk of fat...but you will also find smoky meat so tender it melts in your mouth. The sauce compliments the meat as opposed to overpowering it. The slaw is of the creamy variety and wonderful. The homemade desserts are just like your grandma made, my personal favorites are the peanut butter pie and the peach cobbler with homemade ice cream...My one knock is the ribs. Because the ribs are also cooked over live coals the outermost layer gets a little tough and it is off putting to some. However once beyond the outer layer the ribs are quite tender and the sauce is wonderful...I have seen many mention the price and while I will admit it's higher than the famous bbq chain store in town it is obvious why...pit cooking over wood certainly requires more time and expense. My bet is you are happy to pay the bill once you've experienced the true art of pit cooked barbeque...I know I was.... Pros: The barbeque and homemade desserts! Cons: Ribs are good, just not great more

For me, pork barbecue sandwiches are the real test for Eastern Carolina Barbecue. I grew up on it, and my standards are high. Allen and sons simply has the best available. I get it with slaw on top and add some Texas Pete's for that extra zing. The sandwiches are large and are a problem to deal with for the first 60 seconds or so - then it gets easier. Wait staff is very pleasant and the sweet tea is very sweet. Seating is a bit uncomfortable, but I already know that going in. Pros: The BBQ Sandwiches Cons: Somewhat hard to find, furniture falling apart more

First time there is the last time there. Painful hostess, server who ignored us after delivering the dinner, and burned fish were only part of what made the experience something that made me want to stop by Harris Teeter and get their BBQ ribs on the way home. Not only was the meal not good, but when we ordered, the server snapped (yes, snapped) that they were out of two of the items we had come in to get. Okay, I'm flexible. I got the fish. It was dry, burned and lousy. My recommendation: Find BBQ somewhere else. Pros: None that come to mind Cons: Service, food, value more

We've lived all over the country and our last two stops Norfolk, VA and Kansas City, MO had dives that were incredibly good. Expectations were high with Allen & Son. I first saw it getting lost trying to take a short cut and soon there after read the reviews. I've been excited to eat there for a month or more. What an incredible letdown. The rub which I think is the most important part of bbq before you cook the meat is terrible and quite frankly I've never had such dried out ribs (yet the sause was dripping with oil) and pulled pork that was so fatty. Maybe it was an off night, but $30 for a small serving of ribs, some pulled pork and some slaws--I'll find another dive. Pros: none come to mind Cons: tough greasy ribs and fatty pulled pork more

My nephew came up for a visit from his native Florida, and ""loves good barbeque"". After a visit to the local, award-winning Hog Heaven (Roxboro), which we all rated as great, I wanted to take him to the famous Pit in Raleigh - I've never been, either. My husband substituted Allen & Son instead. After checking the reviews, we went, highly expectant -- Cons: crowded seating, food average or below more

Best BBQ in the Triangle more

My first review had been triggered by a sad example for hospitality. Coming from the Waldorf school I tried to pick up a nice picnic for my folks. Nothing on the outside of the building served as an indicator for a special culinary experience. Unfortunately, the whole experience turned out to be rather dreadful. The only glimpse of light was the cole slaw that was dripping on my car seat since they only gave me a paper bag (but I blame myself, as well). You probably could have punctured body armor with the hushpuppies they served me as left-overs from last night - ""triple-fried ashpuppies"". The BBQ apparently had been pulled by a tree saw since all the limbs were still present. I am still flossing my teeth. And I am also confident that Pete's Texas Sauce doesn't belong in a good BBQ. Do you want friendly customer service and great BBQ? Go to Bullock's in Durham. It's Day vs. Night at Allen and Son's. Pros: Cole Slaw Cons: BBQ - Service - Ambience - No Smile more

Great palce to bring friends that want to eat NC BBQ. I am a fan of all BBQ styles, but Allen and Sons is my favorite. Pros: Keeping it real Cons: closed on Mondays more

I thought the BBQ was some of the best I have ever had - tender, juicy, good flavor. The warm butter-vinegar-pepper sauce was really good. The sides were average at best. The peanut butter pie was very good. But the ribs??? Hands down the worst I have ever had. They were tough to the point of being uneatable. The sauce (different from the BBQ sauce) was disgusting. The prices are too high for the amount of food you get. There are so many tables jammed in the place it's hard to move. The sweet tea is below average - doesn't taste fresh brewed. Overall? Go for the Q and pie and nothing else!!! Pros: BBQ Cons: Ribs, cramped more

I've eaten at just about all the BBQ places in the triangle and this one takes the cake...easily. To the people that said it wasn't good...your taste buds must have left you long ago or you're just a complete moron who doesn't like good food. Pros: Great price, great food, great people Cons: In the middle of nowhere so it's a bit of a drive from Durham. more

Pay no attention to the reviews that stated dissappointment or expecting a tomato based sauce. This is a cross between Eastern style and Lexington. Pros: Good smoked pork shoulder, great dip, fast service Cons: I coldn't walk after eating more

I'm sorry, but I really have to question the people who have claimed this was the BBQ they've ever had. At best, Allen&Son's BBQ was no better than something you can find prepackaged in any grocery store in the frozen section. Ok, maybe the BBQ was tender... but it seriously lacked favor and any originality. So, to the other reviewers, I beg you... please take time to explore the other local BBQ restaurants, before you try to give the ""Crown"" to this dive. And, as far as their ribs go... disgusting! I took two bites and the meat was so tough, I just left my plate sitting there. The owner's wife refused to accommodate me with either another plate of ribs or something else of my choosing. I was totally shocked, as I never had experienced this kind of poor customer service in any other restaurant, when I've been dissatisfied. Needless to say, I'll NEVER visit this place again. And I will recommended the same to all my friends and coworkers. DO NOT WASTE YOUR GAS GOING THERE! Pros: Nothing Cons: Ribs, BBQ, customer service more

My husband and I are visiting the area, and we found this place on Citysearch. It's definitely a local ""hole in the wall"" place but very clean in side, and very nice, friendly people. Don't be intimidated by the outside, the inside is very clean and nice. It's definitely a little country, but the BBQ is so good. The sauce is really good, and the meat wasn't obviously fatty like most BBQ. Baked beans taste homemade, the sweet potato pie is a really good dessert if they have it. I highly recommend this! Pros: Easy parking, GREAT food, FAST service, friendly waiters/waitresses, feels very safe. Cons: a little ""country"", building isn't exactly swank. more