May 5, 2025
With excellent barbecue joints — each featuring their own specialty — it’s easy to satisfy a craving for something sweet and smoky here. Check out these ideas for places to eat and where to find a savory souvenir, all centered around finger-lickin’ North Carolina BBQ.
BBQ Restaurants in Cabarrus County
Browse below for a sampling of local barbecue joints serving up smoky goodness with classic Southern sides.
Field House Bar-B-Que, Kannapolis
Field House has served up some of Kannapolis’ best for nearly 25 years. It also has a good selection of salads and seafood, such as oyster po’ boys and fried flounder sandwiches for those who crave something a little different.
We Recommend: Dessert! With the excellent pastry and ice cream selections, you won’t want to fill up too early.
Towel City Tavern
This locally owned restaurant offers barbecue, bourbon, beer and baseball at their stadium-side location in downtown Kannapolis. Visit Towel City Tavern to enjoy a delicious meal of small plates, sharable sides and house specialties with a craft beer from Cabarrus Brewing Company.
We Recommend: Try the Smoke Whole Wings with Tavern Vinegar or Cheerwine BBQ sauce.
Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers, Concord
Johnny Roger’s, run by a local family with a long-standing love for barbecue, was crowned the champion of the inaugural Cabarrus Burger Madness competition in 2021 with their winning Candied G.O.A.T. Burger. Here, you can get your barbecue in a sandwich, on a platter or in a bowl.
We Recommend: Fat Boys BBQ Sauce, the family’s special recipe for Eastern North Carolina vinegar BBQ sauce.
Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse, Mt. Pleasant
In addition to the tried-and-true barbecue options, Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse has additions like a cheesesteak, a Cuban and — our mouths are watering — a grilled cheese and brisket sandwich. Whether guests are barbecue purists or up for something a little different, this family-friendly restaurant offers it all.
We Recommend: Red Neck Nachos. How do you make nachos even better? Add BBQ.
Jake’s, an R&R Bar-B-Que Restaurant, Concord
Jake’s R&R Bar-B-Que is famous for its Eastern North Carolina-style pork BBQ. If you’re in the mood for beef brisket, be sure to come on Tuesday or Friday. But fair warning — when they run out of brisket, they run out. So consider coming early — the brisket is worth the wait.
We Recommend: Pair your brisket with the fried corn on the cob. Mmm.
The Smoke Pit, Concord
The Smoke Pit combines two great loves of Cabarrus County — barbecue and NASCAR. Devin Barbee entered the BBQ biz after retiring from NASCAR; his partner, Joey Graham, created a menu inspired by the barbecue greats — the Carolinas, Texas, Kansas City, Memphis and Florida. They believe that good meat means no shortcuts: They butcher their own meat and smoke it for up to 18 hours.
We Recommend: The burnt ends, whether in a sandwich or on a plate. Can’t lose.
Take Home a Taste of Cabarrus
Angel’s Share Meat Liquor is an award-winning barbecue sauce made locally in Midland, North Carolina.
This unique condiment is created by blending award-winning bourbon, also made locally at neighboring Southern Grace Distilleries. Choose from five different flavors ranging from the original honey-chipotle bourbon blend to a tangy mustard-based sauce. Angel’s Share is available at several local spots, including Union Street Market in downtown Concord, the Southern Grace gift shop and in the Cabarrus County Visitor Center.
Plan Your Barbecue Bonanza
Ready to plan your trip to Cabarrus County? Between bites of barbecue, find fun for your whole crew. Check out our local’s guide to Cabarrus County for a little inspiration.
