Thanks.

Wow, not exactly a great recommendation. We will be in Raleigh next month for our 25th anniversity, and we were considering Second Empire or Heron's. Maybe Heron's is the better choice?

They call it mutton, but it's goat? Wow, wonder what theyb rest of the dishes are comprised of?

Great, great point. Just because someone is from a certain area of the country, they are not automatically the only ones who can apprecate local food items. You see it all the time on Chowhound, review sites, etc - I'm from ____________ and I know ______________ - this is especially true for folks, fom NYC, Texas, and anywhere in California, but true in this area as wel, obviously..

Taste vary, and always will. Arguing who's taste preferences are the "correct" ones, is as useless as arguing politics or religion. I find it better just to eat what I like, tell folks why, and they can take it from there or not - but telling me I'm wrong is just silly - I still like it regardless of what you say.

I ordered the Ribs, Once - they are awful. The FF are among the worst I've ever had - always undercooked, and not seasoned. Like you, I come for the Chopped Pork, and the Hot Dog - it is very, very good. I have never eaten a dessert here.

I understand that point , as well. I stopped questioning the differences in taste a long time ago. For example, a number of folks rave about The Pig in Chapel Hill, who's food (almost all of it) I find among the worst I'v encountered in any BBQ joint, not just in the state, but in the South.

Anyway, good luck, and eat more pig - and if you have not eaten at Grady's near Goldsboro, or Ken;s in LaGrange, or Jack Cobb's in Farmville (strange hours so call), you should check them out.

I understand your point, tastes differ. What I took exception to was your questioning whether anyone who liked A&S had eaten at BBQ joints you considered superior to A&S.

And not trying to throw it on the table to see who's is bigger, but the number of NC BBQ joints I have eaten ate, and written reviews for, is 148.

Just Wed I ate at Ken's, Wilber's, Cobb's, & Grady's -n didn't eat much but enough at each place. I've eaten at Skyligh, B's, Parker's (All 3), All the Lexingtonn restaurants, Bridges, Bunn's, Moore's and many, many more -and Allen & Son is in my TOP 5, and has been for years. Ate their last week.

So your point in my case is simply wrong - I've eatenin as many NC BBQ Restaurants as anyone, including Bob Garner. It is obvious our tastes aren't the same. I'll continue to eat at and recommend Allen & Son, and will mourn the day Keith Allen stops serving his pig.

Yeap, I go there for the BBQ, that is what they do. Go pick another nit.

This be the truth.

Yeap been there. One pass thru the buffet at $10 a pop, ribs are rationed at 1, or maybe 2, if you're lucky, and no wood anymore. Great place down the tubes.

Changed hands, and definitely not the same, from either a quality or quantity point of view. I'd pass. Theother three mentioned are great, IMO.

Agree on all points. Food is worth the price, always has been. I worry that there will be no one to replace Mr. Allen.

M'couls Public House has some British/Irish dishes but not Steak & Kidney Pie. Celtic Fringe in Reisdville has some nice items, but no Steak & Kidney pie on the menu.

Agree on Allen & Son. I love their Pork BBQ but their fries are among the worst I've ever tasted, and they are fresh cut, but they simply are not cooked long enoung, or are cooked at the wrong temp, and they never salt them as they come out of the fryer.

Cook's does some good things - their brisket is very nice, bur they don't, and have never, touched, Monk's pork

No need to worry about the Q that stuff goes on being a good quality - it don't matter.

Wow, surprised the temperature would matter - most BBQ is eaten inside in this area.

If you want BBQ go to Skylight, if you want sides, there are plenty of alternatives, but the BBQ will play catchup.Sides are called sides for a reason. If you can find Jack Cobb's open in Farmville, you can get some great BBQ there as well.

Pik N Pig's BBQ is not really Eastern NC style - none of their 3 sauces is a real pepper and vinegar based sauce. The pig is moist, tender, and smoky, but milder than real Eastern. I prefer Pik N Pig to Whispering Pines, but Log Cabin in Albemarle is pretty close to that at Pik N Pig.

Try Colington Cafe, may very well be the best all around restaurant on the OBX.

Just ask for the menu, they'll bring it - but the only real question here is how do you want youir BBQ, sandwich or plate, and do you want HPs or not. Though they do make a decent HD, and for something different, get a Pork Skin Sandwich with their Red Slaw.

Is that all? LOL. Southern Kitchen is definitely worth a visit, Great Fried Chicken - Broasted actually, Chicken Livers are great as well - as is the Peanut Soup.

Guy and Jerry's is excellent, as is Emma Kay's on Walker Avenue - service is a little laid back. Rixster's, in High Point, is very nice as well. NY Deli on Battleground serves a very nice burger. Some good ones around, but none match up with ones like Only Burger or Wimpy's in Durham, or the original Char-Grill in Raleigh.

They also serve a great hot dog, Fried Seafood (specials on Friday), BBQ Ribs (not there best effort) - in other words, a very typical NC BBQ Joint menu. Wouldn't worry too much about the menue, the BBQ Pork is the prize here.

Eastern side of Durham, off Hwy 70. 2816 Cheek Road. Nice Eastern style BBQ, and great Country Cooking items. Small place, limited seating. Worth a look at.

I've tried Hillsborough twice, and frankly, I am not a big fan of their pork BBQ, much prefer Allen & Son. Some their other offerings are ok (brisket, etc), but even then I would go to Smokey's in Morrisville first. Best alternative to Allen in the area is Backyard BBQ Pit or Byrd's.

Went by there for lunch (about 1 PM) yesterday, and they were closed. Anyone aware of whether there is a problem , or just closed for long holiday vacation.

Probably gonna need to define authentic - Eastern NC, Lexington, Ribs, Brisket, Chicken - even then there is going to be a problem, I think.

We've tried it three times now, but probably not again. I'm just not that impressed with the chopped pork, especially when this place is so close to Allen & Son. Th brisket can be good (2 out of 3 times it was, the other time it was a train wreck), and the sides and ribs are ok. But, there is just better barbecue close by, and just as much variiety.