North Carolina is particularly known for its distinctive styles of BBQ, and Nash County is no exception. Here BBQ isn’t just food; but a tradition and a way of life. The county is dotted with numerous BBQ joints each with its own unique take on this classic Southern dish.
Nash County is also a mecca for hopheads. That should be no surprise, since it is home to the largest craft beer incubator in the state. Every day at Rocky Mount Mills there are beers brewed and poured that you can get nowhere else. That is why they say, “What’s next in craft beer starts here.”
So, If you have a hankering for pork and a strong desire to workout your beer arm, then this is the trail for you! Visit all 9 STOPS throughout Nash County and receive a BBQ Prize Pack!
STOP 1: Doug Saul's BBQ & Seafood
Doug Sauls' BBQ and Seafood is a family-owned restaurant for over 30 years located in Nashville, NC! Their pit smoked, slow cooked pork is tender and juicy and packed with flavor. Each bite is a taste of southern tradition with a secret blind of spices and a tangy vinegar-based sauce that will have your taste buds dancing with delight!
STOP 2: Smith's Restaurant
What makes Smith's BBQ in Rocky Mount a must-taste stop, is a combination of sauces and sides. Every night, Smith’s roasts over 30-pork shoulders, adding their special sauce from a recipe handed down through generations. Then they mix up over a 1000 pounds of homemade coleslaw and cook up collard greens with ham seasoning just like grandma used to make. The end result is served up with a smile and a ton of napkins. Because if you are not getting the sauce all over you, then you’re not eating it right.
STOP 3: Gardner's Barbecue
Gardner’s Barbecue has been a part of the fabric of Rocky Mount since 1972. During that time they have been perfecting their take on Carolina Barbecue. Grab a plate, ample amounts of napkins, and prepare your stomach for massive amounts of savory goodness. Choose your preference, chopped or sliced, pile on some slaw and pickles, and prepare to taste Heaven. The food is so good you’ll think your Grandma is in the kitchen. Save room for seconds or at least a good helping of banana pudding. Have to get those fruits in your diet.
STOP 4: The Prime Smokehouse
There’s no debate of Eastern-style or Lexington-style BBQ here: This is Texas-style brought to Rocky Mount by owner and chef, Ed Wiley. The key to great BBQ is patience. Here, Ed uses a dry rub and vinegar sauce on his brisket and cooks it low and slow over indirect heat. The result is a plate of Barbecue that will make you believe in a higher power.
STOP 5: Koi Pond
Open Wednesday through Sunday, Koi Pond features an ever-changing variety of unfiltered ales made with local ingredients. This includes pale ales and IPAs, stouts and Belgian beers, Saisons and more. Try an angry Squirrel. Toss back a Bozo Brown. Or grab a flight and settle in for some trivia and local music.
STOP 6: Hopfly Brewery
Located in the historic Rocky Mount Mills, Hopfly features 15 taps across a wide range of beers, including their robust, hoppy IPAs and crushable, crisp lagers. This place is fun for the entire family! Grab a beer and play a board game or a round of shuffleboard in the lobby. Hopfly is a must visit brewery in Nash County.
STOP 7: Bright Penny Rocky Mount Outpost
When you think of beer do you think of 400 lbs of pumpkin, brown sugar, molasses, and graham crackers? At Bright Penny Brewing Rocky Mount Outpost the Spooky Spice Pumpkin Ale is exactly that. This place is the newest addition of breweries at Rocky Mount Mills. Along with seasonal favorites, like the one mentioned above, they have 11 craft beers and hard seltzers on tap, craft soda, hard slushies, wine, and a great selection of bourbons. So come with a curious mind and expect to try something you may have never expected.
STOP 8: NC Beer Factory
Looking for a beer joint to escape to on the weekends? Want a place to hang out after work? Look no further than the NC Beer Factory. This Veteran-owned brewery is new to Rocky Mount. Here, you’ll find local bands taking the stage and beer being served by the bottle or glass. Order up a Lord Winston, an English Special Bitter, and settle in for a night of good conversation with friends. After a few rounds, you may even decide to take the stage yourself.
STOP 9: Larema's Beverage Company
our final stop is a a perfect blend of brewery, taproom, and kitchen. Pop inside and take a seat to enjoy craft beers, house-made sodas, and a delicious menu by Chef Camden Grant. Eat a little. Drink a little. Eat some more. Realize you need another drink. Repeat.
