Allen & Son Bar-B-Que

I had lunch at Allen and Son Bar-​B-​Que on Feb 13^th. The service was fast and friendly. I ordered a bar-​b-​que plate. The que was dry and had been over cooked. The slaw was good and fresh. Hush puppies were not fresh and seemed to have been made the day before my lunch. Since we had driven a long distance the food was a disappointment. I have had que all over NC for many years and this experience was no better than a C-.

The BBQ is so good here that it helped convert me from WNC BBQ sauce to Eastern BBQ. Their slaw is possibly the best slaw I have ever had and the hush puppies are fantastic. Definitely deserves its place on the NC BBQ Trail and worthy of a 5 star rating!

BBQ had this weird burnt bitter taste, not charred in a good way with smokey flavor. It was an off taste. Hush puppies were doughy. Slaw was ok. I haven’t tried this place in 15 years and wanted to mark it off my NC BBQ Bucket List. It gets so many accolades. I would hate for this to be the NC pulled pork someone tries if they have never had it before. It was simply … bad.

Now, 12 January, 2016
{An UPDATE on my 1^st Review from 7/​19/​2015}
You will /​should notice that… the TOURISTS… like this place, based on «rep», and days gone by — and… TOURIST RATINGS prop up the # of STARS… that this particular location gets.
ASK a LOCAL,… any OFFICER of the law (they always know, right ?.. and we are not talking Donuts)…except that you will NOT find many here anymore. that is Officers or Locals
PRICES are Crazy-​HIGH = at least Twice as much as should be
Service = NOT… if you dig …(but perhaps has improved because of my reviews)
On a «good» day, the food can be «good», but do NOT be there on an «off day» which HAPPENS all TOO OFTEN
A veritable roll of the dice… a spin of the wheel… take your chances… and… take out a… second mortgage… to afford this spot
«Do you feel LUCKY, Punk? »
…
1^st Review,. JULY 19, 2015
There is no ZERO star rating, so I’ll go with the lowest available. If you live in this area of NC, you will understand. If you are a TOURIST, yes, indeed, you have been duped. (So, as not to be mistaken, this is the Chapel Hill, Allen & Son)…(that is a helpful hint)
Once upon a time, twas a fine, authentic «q » joint, a landmark. My oh my, how things change!
Let’s get right to the bottom of the bottom of it: Surly service, often very bad q, outrageous prices, and don’t even ask about the cleanliness: trust me, you likely don’t really want to know if you ever plan on eating there; It’s not just what you see, it’s what you don’t.
The place is cute for sure, and looks like what a q shack should be. They do have that going for them. Additionally, on a good day, you might just get real good vinegary q, often with a hint of burnt taste to it though still moist and enjoyable. Most troublesome though, equally as often, the q is in fact burned, burnt to the point where it is not moist nor tender and very stringy = not even close to good q. The puppies are fab, and the home-​sliced fries are too (when they are cooked thoroughly — sometimes they are under-​cooked and that «ain’t good t’ all »; the slaw is reliable. Often their best feature= some handsome, delicious homemade, special daily desserts.
What else? do you get ?.. You get the Prices… The PRICES are outrageous – as in at least Twice what you should expect to pay. Ask a local, especially any law enforcement officers who know every nook and cranny in NC… What else .? OK, hope you like sweet, real sweet «SWEET Tea» too, because it is so sweet even many locals cannot drink it. And, go figure, they don’t even offer UNsweet (but I am sure they will once they read this — — and who knows, they may even LOWER the Prices too)…Don’t forget that almost-​rude service…(but maybe this will change now too)…Oh and the Brunswick stew.?.did I say too sweet… (and too thin and watery also = more of a soup than «stew»).
The bottom line is that the «cleanliness»; present and historical… will keep me, as we say, …“aways fo’evr”. …I might even consider paying the high prices once a decade for memory-​sake … «if not fer dat»
Much better q, food, prices, value in many places. «Bullocks» in Durham is always a staple.
«Dang shame» as we say, the q could be great, the joint could be great… «But it ain’t»
…for TOURISTS… yup
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So, you may not venture in here without knowing about it first. This place is a zillion year old road-​side dive kind of BBQ place. The tables are a little sticky, the service is just OK, but friendly, and the décor is hokey– but it’s real good. Since I live a stone-​throw away from Backyard BBQ I had’t tried Allen & Son until last week.
I came for lunch and ordered a BBQ sandwich with a side (baked beans). It was very good. The BBQ was moist and perfect. Since I was still a little hungry (don’t judge me) I ordered a side of hush puppies. These might have been some of the best hushpuppies I’ve ever had. Seriously. That good. I didn’t need any butter but I decided to slather them in the honey butter on the table anyways… then the server asked about dessert and happened to mention that there was a fresh warm tray of peach cobbler. SOLD. I’ll take some! As a warning– you need a friend to share this giant mound of dessert with. I’m a total sucker so when offered ‘home-​made ice vanilla ice cream’ with the warm cobbler I said ‘YES’. Lordy. Lordy. What a sin. I highly recommend it.

Simply the best barbecue I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Authentic BBQ joint ambience, with no beer or trendy stuff and closed on Sunday-​Monday. The NC-​style pork barbecue has tons of wood-​smoke flavor and is moist, tender, and well-​seasoned. The BBQ sauce is fantastic, with lots of red and black pepper and lacking sugar, ketchup and other contaminants. The iced tea is full of tea flavor and isn’t too too sweet or watery. The sides are hit-​or miss but mostly good — fried okra, hushpuppies, slaw, and onion rings are amazing, Brunswick stew is pretty good, avoid the limp fries and salad. They do have things other than Q on the menu, but I’ve never tried them in the many dozens of times I’ve been here. (My vegetarian friend enjoyed the grilled cheese sandwiches.) The Q is too good for me to try ordering anything else. A bit pricey, but so worth it!

We were visiting Chapel Hill for the wknd and I was on the quest for the best Carolina BBQ around! I went back and forth on a few places, but Allen & Sons really stood out. One fact I couldn’t find was the sauce situation at the table. Once you order, they bring out their vinegar-​based sauce in a ketchup bottle for you. So that mystery is now solved.
The atmosphere is very casual, very country-​diner. You seat yourself. They have a few plates/​plate combos that were a little confusing. Basically all the plates come with hushpuppies anyway, so pick a plate of BBQ and 2 sides. We opted for their slaw and potato salad. Let me start with the good: the bbq and coleslaw went together like peanut butter & jelly! The bbq had an amazing smoke to it combined with the vinegary-​sweet style slaw, it was perfection. I would give 5 stars alone to the BBQ and coleslaw. However, that potato salad was absolutely terrible. I mean, I’ve had my fair share of potato salad (from grocery stores, from BBQ joints, homemade, etc) and I’m going to say this is probably the worst potato salad I’ve ever had in my life, which is crazy since the rest of the food was so amazing. It had a very off-​putting flavor and just tasted bad. Basically, don’t order the potato salad. I should have went with the fried okra like my gut said!
They also have excellent, sweet sun tea. Since we didn’t really eat our potato salad, we saved room for dessert! Had to try the pecan pie. All their desserts were homemade, and as such, the pecan pie was actually hot and had just come out of the oven apparently. I actually think that took away from it because it was falling apart and way too hot to really gauge the delicious flavors of a sweet, firm pecan pie. And I love a homemade pecan pie. That said, it was pretty good but I should have ordered the cream cheese pound cake everyone was buzzing about.
Service was friendly and efficient. Everyone was nice and friendly. Overall, this is where you want to come for your Carolina BBQ fix.

This is the best pulled pork I’ve ever had! Both the sandwich and the plate are amazing. The sides are not an after thought and are really good. My only tiny complaint is the bread on the sandwich isn’t the best-​it was slightly dry, but the cole slaw totally fixed that.

After barbecue for lunch, Andrew wanted more for dinner. We had planned to go to Allen & Son since neither he nor Aunt Annie had been there. This was a second time for Ms T and me and I was anxious to return. I knew I loved the place the first time. It is nice to go to the old places with a history.
The barbecue had the same wonderful Eastern NC pork flavor that I remembered. The sauce is perfect and the pork has a little outside brown, but not a lot. I do really think this is about as good as it gets. I also still liked the creamy slaw with perfect sweet and sour balance.
It was consistent with the first visit we made a couple of years ago. I want to keep coming here. It is a classic place, not to be missed if you are passing through. But then if you live here, you already know that. If there are consistently comparable or better places for Eastern pork, I seriously want to know. That is not because I think they don’t exist, I just want to know where to eat.

After telling a friend to go to Allen & Son on his recent Raleigh trip, this is almost the reason why Get Fat in North Carolina 2015 became a thing, and it was worth the trip. We ate this for dinner the same day that we ate Backyard BBQ Pit for lunch, and we would all agree that Allen & Son was better.
Pork here is truly excellent. I mean, what else would you get? As compared to Backyard, the pork here is generally more tender, but with some crunchy outside bits mixed in from the outside, which was nice for a change in consistency. It had more pork flavor and I think a little bit more smoke. Their vinegar sauce was also a bit better — I added a bit extra. Their slaw is very finely chopped, which I know is the style in this area, but isn’t my favorite. I don’t want super rough cut veggies, but I do like it a little coarser than this. However, this slaw was pretty good — perfect with the delicious pork. Hush puppies were also good, a little sweeter with a little more corn flavor as compared to Backyard. A side of onion rings were also excellent. Great quasi tempura style, light batter, and nice big tender onions — no pulling the onion out of the breading on your first bite. This is one of those meals where I want to go back and get more, even though I’m full, and this is why I come to North Carolina.
Don’t miss the cream cheese pound cake — it’s a small slice, but super dense and rich, and there’s even some more cream cheese icing on there for good measure. It came out nice and warm… even if you don’t have room for it, make room.
I’m extremely glad I recommended this to a friend — I recommended it blind at the time, just based on Jon T.‘s review. And it didn’t disappoint my friend, nor did it disappoint us.

Alright not sure if I came in on an off day but my chicken was horrible. It was burnt and tasted horrible. Fries were burnt and it was horrible. I feel so bad because everyone was talking about this place. Also the water tastes terrible too. Not sure. Probably won’t come back here. Husband liked his pork sandwich though :)

So far, this is the best barbecue I’ve had. Don’t expect the gloppy, sugary «Texas style» of BBQ here… this is a lot drier and smokier, with some vinegary tang (the sauce they offer on the side is really not all that spicy, despite the other reviews). Even the coleslaw was probably the best I’ve had, and I’m not even a big coleslaw fan. The atmosphere is nothing to write home about, but it’s just what you’d expect from a slightly out-​of-​the-​way, old-​school «country» barbecue joint — feels like you stepped back into the 1950s or 60s. Pro Tip: Save room for dessert, because they have a killer selection.

Our family who are from the town took us here and it was pretty good! But the bbq «sauce» was not good at all. Way too spicy and runny! You couldn’t really put on a sandwich, it would just seep out. Wish server would have warned us it was spicy! Parents didn’t like either. Sister thought it was good. It was more like dressing, like a vinegar and oil recipe that they make there. I didn’t put much on my pork and my mouth was on fire, my dad who likes spicy even thought it was too much spice! Maybe make a less spicy version? The hush puppies were good though abs so was the cobbler and peanut butter pie!
The place in general is kinda old and run down looking. But everyone is really friendly.

I work out of RTP occasionally and this is easily the best BBQ I’ve had in the area. It is a bit of a drive for lunch, but well worth it. Expected frills location and service and just darn good Eastern NC-​style BBQ. The desert menu was extensive and of decent quality, but the least exciting part of the meal. Just fill up on the Q and you will be happier.

Even though I am not a fan of BBQ, I am not gonna take Allen off my bookmark. Why? Cuz it’s way too amazing and delicious.
Location: GPS located them as in chapel hill area. But it’s kinda in the middle of no where Basically, if you trust your GPS enough, it will eventually lead you the right location. You can park your car in front of the store.
Food: I had cup of stew with hush puppy, cream cheese pound cake and coconut cheese cake. Ok, let’s start with stew. The stew is well balanced and seasoned with some specular BBQ in it. I have never had the stew tasted so delicious and wonderful! Hush puppy is amazing as well. I had Q shack BBQ before. It was bit sweet and hard to chew. But Allen’s hush puppy is melted when you chew it and crispy outside. I would eat a dozen if I can. But I have to make some rooms for dessert.
Both cakes are the best I have ever had in triangle area. Don’t be biased if they take the cake out from the refrigerator. It is still good. The pound cake is creamy and coconut cheese is creamy and sweet as well. I am so glad I had those two cakes.
Service: very nice! Southern hospitality is everywhere while you are at the restaurant
Overall: I am gonna try everything if I can next time. Oh, I remembered some one posted that don’t be on diet of you eat here. I absolutely second the opinion. So basically, my diet is ruin and I am gonna do t again.

I’m a fairly new convert to Carolina BBQ. I’ve always loved my Memphis and Texas BBQ because that’s what was always close to where I lived.
Since visiting NC, I’ve seen the light.
I’m loving the vinegar-​y flavor.
This place is amazing, no muss, no fuss goodness. If you’re in the mood for amazing bbq, this is the place.

Items Selected:
Chopped Pork Plate with Sweet Slaw and Hush Puppies
Quarter Smoked Chicken
Coconut Chess Pie
Pecan Pie with House Churned Vanilla Ice Cream
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Located alongside a rural road on the outskirts of Chapel Hill, with unequivocal praise received from those in the know about Eastern Carolina ‘cue, it was at the off-​hour of 3:00pm that we stopped in to Allen & Son Bar-​B-​Que and finding only three other patrons present amidst the cozy confines all it took was one sniff to tell that the space was legit, the scent of burning wood and roasting pork detectable even before we crossed the threshold of the door.
Divided into two rooms, each speckled with old-​time trinkets, taxidermy and pigcentric décor as the small kitchen and prep-​station sit alongside the back corner of the space, it was mere moments after entering that a middle-​aged woman suggested a table and leaving menus while gathering drinks a few specials were recited from memory, our shared selection eschewing both while opting for the restaurants signature items plus a few sweets to follow.
Waiting just a few minutes for our order, the time spent listening to overhead speakers piping in folksy tunes, it was unsurprisingly a large amount of food that arrived on two plates and at a mere $ 9.25 for the Pork Tray with $ 6.10 for the added half chicken one would be hard-​pressed to name a better value for just over fifteen bucks, the pulled pig lightly tinged in vinegar with plenty of crisp skin adding texture while the juicy bird was slathered in tangy sauce, both proving a delightful pairing to sweetly dressed cabbage as well as crispy cornbread balls.
Still with desserts from Rose’s Meat Market and Sweet Shop in the car, but unable to resist a large list of house-​baked cakes and pies offered at $ 3-​$ 4 each, it was with tough decisions omitting bread pudding and sweet potato pie that a trio was eventually selected, the pecan pie toasty and warm next to a ball of mildly flavored house churned ice cream while both the signature pound cake, teaming with cream cheese, and exceptionally smooth coconut chess pie were the sort of desserts I’d hoped for throughout North Carolina, though in reality anything close to such quality proved hard to find.

I was visiting Chapel Hill for the first time and I wanted to try some Carolina BBQ. I’m a porkaholic so getting the pulled pork was an easy decision. Wow I could not get enough of that spicy vinegar sauce. It compliments the pork very well. The tang and acidity cut through the richness of the pork. The hush puppies were delicious too!
Coming from Texas, I love my beef brisket bathed in BBQ sauce. But biases aside, I really enjoyed my meal here. I can now say I’m a fan of Carolina pulled pork.
But Texas BBQ is still better: P

So disappointed! I grew up in NC and have moved to Atlanta. I rave about NC bbq to everyone. As a devoted Unilocaler I went to Unilocal to find a new place to try for this visit back. Unilocal for the first time failed me. 4 star average… NOT! I HOPE it was just a bad day.
I DO have to start off by saying the BBQ pork sandwich was not bad at all. I enjoyed the slaw on top and I did have to add some of the spicy vinegar sauce. Overall, I wouldn’t mind eating this again.
Now on to the rest…
My husband, who literally eats everything, gave up on the BBQ chicken. That is when I knew something was really wrong. To me, it was just okay — I would give it 2 stars. I wouldn’t order it again, but would eat it if it was at a party or something.
The sides were a hit or miss. The cole slaw and potato salad, I liked. They had an unique vinegar taste. The hush puppies and fries were HUGE misses. The fries were just really flavorless. The hush puppies were a horrendous. On first sight, they were really dark brown, like they were overly fried (My parents had restaurants my whole life. You can just tell.) And guess what? They were over fried! But of course, like a good Unilocaler I tried it anyways. When you bite into it, you get a huge flavorless warm gush of OIL! Disgusting!!!
Yeah…so not going back next time I am in town for sure. I’m really hoping it was a bad day, because I don’t understand how this can be 4 stars.

It’s like eating in a country home.
Allen & Son Bar-​B-​Que is definitely a hidden gem in the neighborhood. When you first drive up to the restaurant, it looks like an old house. My initial thought was that our GPS was wrong and that my sister gave us the wrong address. I was wrong, (of course!) when my sister pointed to the old painted sign. Trusting her, who lives in Chapel Hill right now, we walked inside. I also felt better when I saw the «People love us on Unilocal» sticker on their window. I figured it couldn’t be bad…
Inside, you do feel like you’re in a house in the country. Checkered table cloths, pitchers of ice cold sweet tea, and friendly staff add to character of Allen and Son Bar-​B-​Que. Like their namesake, the food focuses on Carolina barbecue, which has a vinegar base that I am not used to. After looking at the menu, I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with slaw, potato salad, and sweet tea. I also ate some of my sister’s hush puppies, I couldn’t resist.
Food was tasty. Their house made barbecue sauce has a tangy taste that definitely gives the sandwich a kick. The pork is cooked well, moist, and they give you a healthy serving. Sweet tea– delicious. One of my favorite things in the South.
The staff was friendly and we had good service overall. If I ever come back to the area, I’d make a stop.