Stephenson's Bar-B-Q

I am a big fan of Carolina style BBQ, but it's hard to find really good recipes, since the vinegar can (if not done properly) dry out the meat. Stephenson's does it right, and BOY do they! We finally made the 25 minute trek out to this local gem, and we raved the whole way home. I got barbeque chicken and pork with spiced apples & green beans. The pork was perfectly seasoned and amazingly moist & juicy. I barely poked at the chicken, and it was falling off the bone! The chicken was done with a sweet, but not too, bbq. The hush puppies were okay -- slightly sweet cornbread and crispy, not too large -- but the green beans were wonderful and the spiced apples a perfectly sweet dessert to top it off. My husband got their french fries which were definitely homemade, and he declared them favorites. We can't wait to go back and share it with all our friends who come to visit and need some good ol' Carolina 'cue! more

I am a little offended by khobbs37 with the dig about Yankees. I am from NY and I have eaten at Stephenson's numerous times since I moved here 5 years ago. more

i live in wake forest an heard about stevensons, so i made the trip. it was well worth the drive to taste the authentic pit cooked bbq, the brunswick stew was delicious also. i loved the sweet salad cubes in the fresh made cole slaw to. they have good tea an hot hushpuppies, without a doubt this is the real deal for great eastern NORTH CAROLINA bar-b-q. got 2 lbs. to go for my friends at work ... more

I am an ACF CMC, retired now, taught the Ft. Bragg culinary team, at JWU, have won 19 ACF gold medals, over 30 years cooking bbq, had my own business, and I love Stephenson's. Their food is authentic, well made, fresh, flavorful, and the staff is friendly. I recommend everything! The poor review from cleavm sounds like they have no concept of southern cuisine whatsoever and are probably a yankee (who wouldn't know true or good southern food if it bit them on the behind). True gourmands from far and wide know of Stephenson's. Pros: some of the best bbq besides my own Cons: none really more

If you want authentic eastern style (vinegar based sauce) BBQ, this is still one of the best places you can go. They may fly under the radar, with some folks never having heard of this place, but the locals know this is the real deal. One look at their crowded parking lot in the evenings, especially on Friday or Saturday night, tells you all you need to know. Full of locals, folks who have been returning for years. That is about as good as a testament as it gets. They used to only accept cash and checks, but they now accept major cards as well, which is a BIG plus! Pros: They now take plastic! Cons: Hard to get in on the weekends more

I don't know what the last reviewer was so upset about. Stephenson's Bar-B-Q is great! The ""large pig"" is a lot of food and inexpensive. My husband and I go there from time to time and can eat for $12. You can get home cooked food for as much as a couple of fast food combo meals. The hushpuppies are great! The potatoes are barbequed, not really boiled...the flavor is barbeque sauce...not tomato soup! Stephenson's is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant out in the country but has really good food. Try them for lunch...they have some of the best hot dogs ever! Seat yourself, Very fast service and barely any wait time for your food. If you go on a busy night, be prepared to share a table. Pros: Food, Price Cons: Menu Selection, Ambience more

No review since 2003, this joint is in need of another review. Drove there on the recommendation of my GPS. Not worth the 13 mile drive from Garner. Got a large BBQ plate but it didn't look large. The BBQ was just ok but it needed Tabasco. The boiled potatoes tasted like they were boiled in Campbell's Tomato Soup.... Yuk!.. I couldn't eat them. The green beans were from a can.... Yuk!.. I can't describe what was wrong with the tea but it wasn't good. The little hush puppys had a corn taste to them... Yuk!.. The double whammy was the price. Too high. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Pros: Sanitation grade. Friendly. Pretty staff in tight jeans. Cons: Expensive. Bad fixins. more

I admit I am really not a fan of this place. I thought the pups were dry and void of flavor. I found the Q somewhat dry and in need of sauce. Everything else was good, no question about that. But to be fair, Stephenson's just can't be considered in the same league as Wilbur's, Allen & Son, Lexington BBQ, and Skylight Inn (Ayden). Definitely belongs on the B list. Pros: tea, price, chicken Cons: pups more

I have been to couintless barb-q resteraunts around the state and this one takes it all. All you can eat family style served hot per portion just cant be beat for the money. The taste is just out of this world. You have to try some of thier fallen off the bone barbaque chicken. It is a small price to pay for a little heaven on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more

This is the best barbecue I have ever had. They also have REALLY great barbecue chicken. They even have homemade fries. It's less than 6 miles from my house, so we eat there at least 3-4 a month. Pros: Kid friendly, Inexpensive more

I grew up near McGee's Crossroads, so I also grew up with Stephenson's Bar-b-q. Yes, I may be very partial to it, but simply put, it is the tastiest, leanest barbeque that I have ever eaten. I know people that will drive from Cary to Stephenson's at least three times a month. Check it out for yourself, you won't be disappointed. more