Have you ever wanted to experience the greatest food known to man? Look no further, your quest is complete if you stop in. Don't judge a book by its cover, this place doesn't look the part as the greatest BBQ on earth, it's rough around the edges but once you get your BBQ you won't care what this place looks like. I mean after all, why would you take your eyes off the plate of heaven anyway? If you want smoky goodness, if you want meats that are juicy and full of pure flavor with the sides to match, this is your place. I've traveled all the way from Seattle just to have lunch here, no joke!
(5)
Thomas R.
Like I said in my previous review this place looks rough, it's a dive in every sense of the word. To me that is part of the charm of this place. After trying much more of Backyard's menu and many other BBQ places in the triangle I can definitively say this is the best BBQ restaurant in the triangle. You may disagree with that statement depending on your preferred BBQ style, but you cannot disagree with the authentic southern cooking and perfect sides this place offers in addition to BBQ. That is what makes Backyard so much better than the rest, they focus just as much on sides, hush puppies, and sauces as other places do on just their BBQ. Backyard has a very large menu. They have BBQ pork, BBQ chicken, BBQ turkey, pork ribs, Brisket, fried chicken, pork chops, fried fish (catfish, flounder, and whiting), and fried shrimp. The southern cooking abilities shine through their sides. No one can beat their hush puppies, Backyard is the only place that I've been to that doesn't use frozen ones (the dense hush puppies that look like a curled up thumb). I refuse to believe you can find a place in the area that has better collard greens, mac n'cheese, or Brunswick stew. Their collards are my all time favorite, and the perfect companion to any pork or beef you can get here. I really like their coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad too. Everything here is unique and not run of the mill at all. Their hot sauce and vinegar BBQ sauce are great, but the sweet BBQ is the best I've ever had, and I cannot even put a finger on what they use in it...it's so different than anywhere else. The thing that I love the most about this place is the price. They are one of the cheapest BBQ places in the area and they blow places twice as expensive out of the water. I love their pulled pork and pork chop, but their fried fish is amazing and you get a huge portion too (fair warning the fish and shrimp is made to order, so be prepared to wait, and some days they run out of or just don't have shrimp or a certain type of fish). The fried chicken is excellent here, perfectly crispy and juicy (again it's made to order, so you will have to wait a bit). Backyard BBQ is the best type of comfort food and there is something on the menu that will get you hooked on this place. They are always super busy and they don't have a ton of dining space. I recommend coming early or late for either lunch or dinner rushes, and if worse comes to worse they are great for take out.
BBQ so good, it'll make you disrespect your Grandmother. As a resident of Eastern North Carolina for the last 10 years, I have learned to love and critique southern barbecue. Backyard BBQ Pit is the real deal my friends. This place is unapologetic in appearance and rightly deserves to be that way with the damn good food that they provide. No frills or fanciness here. Just delicious, greasy, southern hospitality in the form of barbecue and fixins I had the Pulled Pork & Smoked Chicken combo platter, with Mac N Cheese & Green Beans. Honestly, the Hush Puppies alone would've made me slap my Grandmother. For the rest of the food, it was wonderful. You just have to try it. Really.
(5)
Jonathan D.
I come here at least once a month to get my fix for NC-style BBQ. Humble venue and simple side dishes but the BBQ and fried fish are stellar. No hype, just good BBQ.
(4)
Bradd N.
I use to work close by and would visit very often. Their staff is very nice and their food is unbelievably good. I asked them for a recipe once and they said they'd tell me but then they'd have to kill me. HAHA!!! Whether you're a resident of Durham or just passing through, this place is a must visit.
(5)
Brian K.
Four trips to North Carolina in 5 months and each one of those trips required Backyard BBQ Pit for my sanity. This place is legit. Legit as in slap-yo-mama, good ole Southern BBQ. It's 100% non-pretentious. It's not yuppie BBQ. There is no kale here. Neither will you find flax seed. Gluten? Bring it on baby. Paleo? Um, yeah, whatever, sure- the meat is paleo but the greasy mac and cheese will probably put your paleo panties in a tailspin. What am I trying to say? What's my message? If you have any kind of dietary restrictions, do yourself (and us) a favor and go to Wendy's or Chick-Fil-A across the street. For the rest of us, prepare yoself. Prepare for juicy BBQ. Embrace the fattiness of their moist brisket (this is the only time "moist" should ever be used in a sentence). The sides? Nothing short of dragging you down in a food-wasted stupor. The "chopped" is good but I've always stuck to the brisket. It hasn't failed me yet here. The only thing that fails are my eyes about 2 hours after my last bite. They droop like Ashlee Simpson's lazy eye. The sides are "homey". As in, they're simple. It's not necessarily inferior but some people may find them to be too simple for their tastes. Most of you are used to overly salted food when going out and that's the big secret- salt (in many kitchens) so if you think it's "meh", then just add salt. Those green beans seem like vegetables? Yeah sure, they're drowned in fatty flavor and so are the collard greens. If you want to fit in, when you order them, just say "collards" not "collard greens". It's like, for those of you that have had the pleasure of having a cheesesteak in Philly, you ask for a "cheesesteak" and not a "Philly cheesesteak". If you want ice in the Antarctica, you ask for "ice" not "Eskimo ice". You get the picture =) The mac and cheese is a greaseball- very good but there seems to be more of an oil pool on their mac and cheese than from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. All in all, good southern BBQ
(5)
Dixon S.
Drove up and although the place is not much too look at, the food was beyond killer and the prices were awesome for quality and quantity of food. I tried the $6.49 BBQ plate with Shredded Pork, Mac N' Cheese and Green Beans, all of which were to die for. My wife had the BBQ plate as well, but with Turkey, Sweet Potatoes and BBQ Beans. We sampled each others plates and I can honestly say everything was as advertised, great food at great prices!
(5)
Mike W.
This is a couple days after Yahoo declared this the "best BBQ in NC" - so the place is mobbed. Is it? No. If you want the best eastern style, you'll head to Skylight or Wilbers. If you want the best western style, it's BBQ Center or Lexington #1. If you want the best Q near to the Triangle, you are going out to Stephensons. What this is, it's a great lunch stop if you are local. The Q is heavily chopped, the brisket is soaking in sauce, and the ribs have very clearly NOT been entirely smoked, they are too soggy for that. But, for what it is, the meats are good, and the sides are better. In fact, the sides are as solid as any place I've been - it reminds me a lot of the old Mitchell's in Wilson. Don't come here and leave with the impression that this represents the best Q in NC (at least not in my opinion), but really for the money, and my rib plate cost me $11, it was a good value and certainly not a skimpy amount of food. Worth a stop.
(3)
Chris S.
Welcome to your new favorite bbq place. It has been said that the best barbecue joints are not in fancy locations, but rather in unassuming strip malls, eye-sore shacks, and side-of-the-road holes. Backyard BBQ Pit ("Backyard") is a gritty, sticky, worn-out mess of a restaurant. But like your favorite dive bar, this just validates what Backyard is all about. When you arrive at Backyard, there is lots of front and parking amongst the potholes. During dinner time, the lots is full. When you open the door, you will be immediately greeted by the backs of the other patrons who are patiently lining up and trying not to spill out into the parking lot. You order at the counter that focuses on its sticky ribs, eastern north carolina-style pork, chicken and some other delicious meats. There are specials, which often include fried shrimp and/or different types of fish. The fish is fried to-order so it comes out hot and crispy rather than batch-cooked. All meals comes with 2 sides, which is the greatest hits of North Carolina - stew, beans, collards, sweet potatoes, fries, potato salad, green beans, coleslaw, and others. Despite only having a single counter, they pack in a lot of options. And all meals come with 3 lovingly spooned out hushpuppies, that look like someone - not something - made them. Service is strictly counter service into styrofoam containers with plastic spoons and a fist full of napkins. But don't confuse cheap with sloppy. Food is skillfully put into the plate hallows, not just slopped in. A nice touch is putting the puppies on starched service paper on top of your food so they stay crispy rather than drowning in your plate. And service is done with gloves and messy bins are handled with service paper to keep your order clean. I had the BBQ plate with mac and collards. The puppies were a nice balance of crunchy and chewy without being too sweet. The collards were smokey, firm yet tender, and one of the finest I have ever had. The mac and cheese was heavenly gooey and clearly not slopped together. The bbq was moist, tender, wonderfully spicy, vaguely sweet, and twangy from the apple cider vinegar in the Eastern NC style. And when you check out, naturally the soda machine is broken. It couldn't be any other way. But Ms. Michelle cheerfully rings you up. The prices are really cheap. My plate was $6.49 (before tax). The portions were generous. It is a perfect place to take away. And the service was polite, prompt despite the very long lines, and cheery. And by the look of the line nearly out the door and Ms. Michelle saying "HEEEEY! Good to see you again!", you can tell that this dive BBQ joint is something special to many other people. Hopefully, Ms. Michelle will soon be chirping HEEEEY when she sees me because I plan on going back as much as possible.
(5)
Shawn J.
I was so disapointed. I was told that this is the best BBQ in Durham. I really hope that's not true. The place looks like a dump. It has dim lighting, graffiti all over the walls in the inside and the whole place was dirty. It made the place look so trashy, and the food tastes horrible neither of us finished what we ordered and we didn't even bother to keep the leftovers. Do not eat here.
(1)
Shane C.
Best BBQ (pork) I've ever had! After living in the south for several years and traveling all over the U.S. this is as good as it gets. Do yourself a favor and get the pork and Mac and cheese. Line was out the door and parking lot completely full when I got here. Plan accordingly at lunch time.
(5)
Rose L.
Like some of my other yelper friends, it's hard for me to cast foodie judgement upon Backyard BBQ. If you're looking for a grungy BBQ spot where the door hits you on the bum on the way in (more figuratively then literally) this place might be your spot. Walls filled with compliments from all the satisfied people so you know people like the place, but in my opinion, it's a little off from the BBQ I usually go for. I have to agree with everyone else that the service is stellar. Of course, you only interact with them during the initial order. After entering the doors, the menu is directly in front and you'll usually have some time to glance at it as there's (commonly) a line of people in front of you. The food is lined up in a buffet style (only you're not serving yourself). The idea of food sitting in hot plates has never wowed me, and always gives slight hesitation for stomach issues. I tried the BBQ plate with pulled pork, mac and cheese and sweet potatoes (served with hush puppies as well!) and my lunch date tried the rib plate. Overall, food tasted good, the mac and cheese was overly oily and the sweet potatoes were fine. The ribs were more on the fatty side which isn't my favorite. Overall, the food was fine but didn't WOW me. I was also disappointed that the only condiments available were in giant bottles with the silverware and there were no small cups to put sauces in. Individual bottles on tables would be nice or tiny cups so you have a chance to taste the variety of sauces (I feel like that's a big deal in NC?! I'm no native so correct me if I'm wrong). Obviously people like Backyard BBQ Pit because they keep going back, maybe I hit them on a bad day or maybe my expectations are too high. Either way, I'd give it another shot but am going to try to get my BBQ fix at a couple other places before I rush back.
(3)
Erica T.
The food is delicious. Dine in experience sucks: no AC, the front door is kept open to cool the restaurant, which welcomes flies; the tables and seats were dirty. The staff was friendly, however, and the price was fair. The hush puppies-a little light skinned (under done?). I'm not from the area, but if I were, I would probably give it a second chance. Hope this feedback inspires positive changes. I advocate the success of small businesses.
(4)
Matt K.
This is the definition of a hole in the wall, no pretense, good ole family BBQ joint. Two sides to try are the beans and the mac n cheese. There are other good sides, too, but these are my favorites. Our most recent trip featured a line of 20+ people to the door. The line moved swiftly though as the staff was bustin' it to get everyone served. My rib plate was slathered with sauce, but my ribs were a little too tough. I would avoid ribs next time and opt for something else. They have great sweet tea, too.
(4)
Nancy S.
If you grew up in NC, appreciate NC style BBQ and "southern cooking like grandma used to make" look no further. You will not be bothered by the dive appearance any more than you minded Grandma's decor as a kid. If you want fancy dining and a sweet tomato sauce BBQ that must be chewed forever go somewhere else and leave this gem for NC BBQ fans...
(5)
Christine W.
Wonderful little local joint! My husband and I both ate the BBQ sandwich plate for lunch. It was fantastic! My favorite part was the BBQ beans, they had the most unique flavor (kinda tastes like Christmas ^_^). The staff are all really sweet and the food was really well priced (I don't know why it has $$ because our bill with two plates and a drink came to $12 after tax). If you are in Durham, give this place a spin!!
(5)
Michelle S.
Everyone got to try their pork... It so tender and delicious... I just loved their sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with their sweet corn and out of this world potato salad... Actually, all their sides are good, from the collard greens, white potatoes to their green beans.. So yummy!!
(5)
Kate W.
Kinda a dive but the best BBQ around and reasonably priced. BBQ pork is great as is the Super cheesy Mac and cheese. Collard greens and Cole slaw r great as well
(4)
Phil C.
Got off the plane late afternoon, checked into my hotel, but was rather famished since I didn't have lunch that day. So I grabbed a friend and decided to try Backyard, based on Yelp recommendations. No, I didn't know about Backyard's appearance on "Man v. Food" until the server at the restaurant showed his t-shirt, boasting about television exposure. I went for the chopped BBQ/rib combo with Brunswick stew and mac n' cheese for sides. They ran out of fried okra, which was unfortunate. The ribs weren't the largest, but for the seemingly lack of quantity, there was quality. The sauce wasn't overly sweet yet flavorful. The ribs themselves were fall-off-the-bone and flavorful. You won't need a knife with that. The chopped pork was good, but you do need to help it out with either the restaurant's BBQ sauce. The Brunswick stew was a bit sweet, so I don't think I'll go for that again. Other than that, it had a good consistency. The mac n'cheese was a little greasy but I liked the cheesy flavor to it. The hush puppies were crispy on the outside, pretty soft on the inside with a sweet note to it. Maybe I'm used to overpriced BBQ where I'm at, but the prices seemed rather reasonable here. Service was quick, but pleasant enough. At the chair I was to sit in, there was a hole in the floor, as opposed to the wall, which had signatures/messages from a variety of people. It ain't pretty here, but aren't a lot of the good ones not?
(4)
Kam K.
So excited to try this place since the review are so good. I really want to try the samples but when I ask for it, they don't know what I'm talking about. So disappointed didn't get to try everything, even the pull pork. Definitely didn't get no southern hospitality here. Overall the food is good, but not the service
(3)
Kate L.
Came here last week. It was so good I dragged the whole office with me this week. New Friday tradition.
(5)
Myron B.
This was everything I expected and more on flavor. The atmosphere is very family friendly and the food was authentic NC barbecue.
(5)
Franz F.
Wow, wow and wow! That is what I found myself saying throughout this meal. Jeez, I had the rib plate with Mac and collard greens. It was simply delicious. Trust! Best BBQ I have had. I'm not into Mac and cheese but it was crazy good. It's time to go into a coma now.
(4)
Jon S.
I came from some authentic NC 'que and the Backyard BBQ pit did not disappoint. I was a little bit wary about this joint as I rolled up on it because it is in the middle of a typical Interstate exit commercial area. When I saw the little sign and the partial gravel parking lot I started feeling better. The deal was sealed, though, when I walked in the door and saw the menu hanging from a clothesline with homemade snapshots taking the place of more traditional POS images. The folks behind the counter looked authentic and there were quite a few people in line that knew their BBQ. I wanted to some different stuff so I ordered the Chopped Pork Plate with ribs, slaw, and mac and cheese. I also got an extra side of Brunswick Stew. TBH, the ribs, slaw, and mac and cheese were OK. The ribs were meaty, done well, with just the right amount of sauce, but they were a little too much work to get off the bone. You have probably had the mac and cheese at every church covered dish dinner you have ever been to. The slaw was cold, well chopped, and a nice complement to the pork. All three of these items were good and you won't be disappointed, but you won't go out of your way to come here for them. The Brunswick Stew was a little too salty for my taste and they put a big ole chunk of tater in my bowl that took up about half the portion. I only wanted a taste anyway, but I would have been disappointed if I had really wanted the stew. There was a nice mixture of corn, green beans, potatoes, and shredded pork. The chopped pork, however, was DELICIOUS and definitely worth going back for. That wonderful vinegar taste, the mix of colors with the smoke ring, the tenderness, the toughness of the outside portions - all were excellent. If you are going to be average in some places and amazing in others, I would vote to be amazing on your 'cue every time. The folks behind the counter were courteous - not overly friendly, but courteous just the same - and they were nice enough to throw a piece of white bread on my player upon request. While Backyard BBQ Pit is not worth a long trek to get to, it won't disappoint you if you are nearby (within 15 minutes) and in the mood for some real NC Barbecue.
(3)
Jon T.
We have been devotees of Backyard for several years and will continue to be. We always make room in our schedule to eat here when we fly in to RDU for a North Carolina visit. I am dropping a star for now. Our most recent visit, while good, showed some inconsistency. My pork barbecue was distinctly salty, really too much. If someone had gone on my recommendation and experienced this, they would not have been happy with the experience or with me. On this night they did not have collards, which I always like, so I had fried cabbage. It was good as usual. I also like their baked style mac 'n' cheese. The people remain as friendly as ever and we will certainly be back many more times. I hope the salty barbecue is not a change in approach and just a little quality control slip. They have built a lot of credit with me so will have fall a lot further to drop off our favorites list. This is such a great place for no frills southern cooking. I will keep that star handy and hope to pin it back on some time soon.
(4)
Stasia K.
A friendly dive that smells delicious upon entering. I opted for the BBQ pork plate with the baked beans and collard greens. The pork was moist and tender. The baked beans were a bit too heavy on the molasses for my taste, but the collards were perfect. I also recommend the fried okra that have a hint of spice it seems in the batter. I found the hush puppies to be too doughy with not enough onion flavor. The line was long, and cafeteria style, but the food was worth the wait for sure.
(4)
Michael H.
This is the perfect hole in the wall BBQ place. You don't go for the decor. You go for the BBQ. I had a pulled pork meal with green beans and mac & cheese. The star of the show was the pulled pork. Great stuff.
(5)
William T.
Their BBQ is some of the best in NC. I highly recommend this spot for really good home style eats
(4)
Valerie G.
BEST BBQ EVER (ssshhhh...my Dallas fiance doesn't need to know this....) We stopped by at 3pm on a Saturday and there was still a line - great sign! We had the 2 meats - 2 sides meal with hush puppies and of course, 1 sweet tea for my Southern beau. The owner (I'm assuming) at the register was the SWEETEST! She asked us if we ever had the lemonade, which of course we answered "no" since this was our first time in NC, and she gave us a huge one on the house! So nice! It's definitely acts like this that stand out. The ribs were fall off the bone, lip-smacking delicious! The brisket was delicious too but I'm not a big normal brisket gal (moist all the way!). The mac n cheese was divine - and I don't even usually like mac! Standout meal for sure!
(5)
Mr. D.
This was my 4th time eating here. I decided to try their fried pork chop plate this time. All I can say is the meal was a slam dunk! The pork chop was cooked to order and well worth the wait. The pork chop was big and well seasoned with a crisp coating. This place makes the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten at a restaurant. The collard greens were perfect. The food and service is excellent as always. I get my money's worth and I definitely will be returning.
(5)
Mike D.
Delicious! Was here with a friend several months ago and I have been looking forward to coming back. I had the "working man's special". The pork sandwich was great. Had a little BBQ sauce on the side but honestly it was great with and without. The Mac and cheese was really really good. The coleslaw - some of the best I've had. Ever. No exaggeration. Come eat here!
(5)
Andrew B.
Excellent bbq and mac and cheese, sweet tea and lemonade, hushpuppies. Guaranteed to make you fall asleep within 10 minutes of consumption for only $5! If you like bbq, check this place out
(5)
Rogelio D.
So good I had to sign up for Yelp and write my first Yelp review! This place has not only the best BBQ Food I have ever had but I think this just might be the best food I've ever had period. I had the BBQ Rib Plate which came with two giant, well seasoned, tender and juicy ribs with a layer of THE BEST pulled work I have ever had in my life. I had the Mac and Cheese side with the Sweet Potatoes- they were both, again, among the best I've ever had. I went on New Years eve when they were busy and even then it was still an in-and-out experience with little wait time. I completely recommend this spot to satisfy your BBQ needs. It is unreal.
(5)
Christina L.
I'll talk about the great first. The place deserves five stars for food. The pulled pork and the hush puppies are freakin divine I mean so damn good. I also had the Mac and cheese my third fave and the beans which were alright they had a really cinnamon taste I've never tasted in beans before. The food is damn good and totally worth it. When you pull up to the place it looks like a dump straight up trash. The inside at first looked the same, but grew on me as did the outside. But don't judge a book by its cover is all I have to say about that. Now the only reason I didn't give it five stars is the service. The two gentlemen one bigger man and one shorter skinny one was servicing food. By the time we got up to the counter the bigger gentleman the one I would have rather helped me went to the back to help presumably. The shorter skinny one was rude when we asked if more Mac and cheese was being made and ignored us for other customers. He is the reason for four stars. The lady who rang us out was sweet and assured us shed get us our Mac and cheese. Overall a great place to eat. Unique taste and a very unique atmosphere.
(4)
Cheryl R.
For the price, this place is great. It is north carolina bbq at it's best. I ate bbq chicken, brunswick stew, hush puppies and green beans. The place looks like a dive with writing all over the walls, but the food makes up for the ambiance. I have been here before and I plan on going back again. Best BBQ around.
(5)
Mihail D.
Don't worry about the atmosphere or state of the joint. The food will make you forget it. I'm not a big barbecue person because I generally dislike it. However this place has without a doubt some of the best barbecue and sauce I've ever had. And while I probably don't need to mention it, yes - best hush puppies you'll likely ever have. The sweet tea is absolutely on point as well. Throw in friendly staff and I'll certainly be back.
(5)
alex d.
While the inside might initially seem a bit run down or dingy, don't appearances fool you. This place is the best barbecue I have ever had. There was nothing they didn't do excellently. I got the rib plate and the ribs literally slid off the bone. They were incredibly tender and absolutely delicious. The Mac and cheese was flavorful and had some baked cheese on top that gave a delicious texture. And the slaw...absolutely amazing. It was just creamy enough to provide a palette cleansing sensation. The workers were friendly and honestly, the place feels more homey than dirty. Would absolutely recommend!
(5)
George I.
Heard about this place and had to go. Don't judge the place based on looks. You just have to try it. The beef brisket is tender, the pork ribs are off the hook and the fried flounder made the whole experience worth it. We went during dinner hours. I don't recommend going at this time. The line began at the door. By the time we sat down to enjoy our food, the line was was wrapped around the restaurant. Good food!!
(5)
James H.
Good little place for good BBQ. 1st time visiting here and read all the reviews and had to try it for myself. Will visit again the next time I'm in the area. Will try the ribs.
(4)
Lauren D.
My boyfriend and I have passed by this place several times in our comings and goings. Finally, on Wednesday, we stopped in. And we will be back. Oh yes, we will be back. For food- this place gets a solid 4 stars. I had the chopped turkey, with green beans, yams, and hush puppies. He got the rib plate with mac and cheese and green beans. The green beans had come from a can at some point but you could hardly tell. They were perfectly seasoned, stewed, and flavored. The turkey was juicy and flavorful and that was before I added their homemade sauce to it. As far as Eastern Carolina sauces go, this one had a lot of chili flakes in there but instead of making the sauce hot it helped balance the flavors to give it a bit of heat that I haven't experienced at other barbecue places before. At this point, I began to fall in love. The boyfriend's mac and cheese was perfect, we did not have any of the oily-ness that I have read about in other reviews. His ribs though were only OK. My yams were inedible and tasted like a can of corn syrup had been dropped in them. What will make me go back to try it again is the hushpuppies. I can honestly say that these are the lightest, crispiest, and tastiest hushpuppies I have had in the Triangle. They had an airy quality to them I have not experienced anywhere else. That being said, if you are looking for a place that has atmosphere than this place has the atmosphere that you would get if you lived in Sunnyvale Trailer Park. But as someone who was practically raised in a trailer park myself, I can't bring myself to care. The staff is friendly, the patrons are friendly, and the food is damn good. So good, he went back for dinner again the next night.
(4)
Connie L.
Best bbq in durham hands down! In comparison: Qshack hushpuppies are better (personal opinion) The pit in durham=awful I got the pork bbq with sweet potatoes/yams and collard greens. The pork was so juicy tender and delicious (unlike the pit which is always so dry and flavorless) The sides were also delicious and I'm not even a fan of collard greens! Friends loved the Mac and cheese too I had leftovers to take home and it was even more delicious later! I was hesitant to try this dingy looking place but its literally the best tasting BBQ I have had in NC so far. Yes there are flies and it's not the cleanest looking place and you wait in line like a school cafeteria but the food speaks for itself:)
(5)
Michael R.
This is some excellent BBQ. Real Eastern Carolina. Not sure where the backyard is. You walk in and the graffiti is all over every wall. Surprisingly we tried the beef with the potatoes (as they advised) and it was a total treat. Besides the chopped BBQ, this is recommended. Lacks spice and the service can be a bit mixed up, but fine overall. Also, the sweet tea rocked!
(4)
Marsha K.
Omg all I can say is that food was amazing. We had the brisket mouth watering and tender.. The ribs were excellent.. If you are in the area I say stop in and try it for yourself..
(5)
Christopher M.
Stopped in for lunch and got the " working man's special " . Pulled pork sandwich with 2 sides for $4.99. What a great deal. I asked for a sampler of the ribs and they were kickin. The sides I got were potato salad and bbq beans. Good also. The place was so ghetto but so good.
(4)
Bethany F.
Love the pulled turkey BBQ and all of the sides are amazing. Mac-n-cheese is especially delicious! All of the great reviews speak for themselves!
(5)
Zina G.
Delicious friend chicken, flounder and mac and cheese! I was a little skeptical from the looks but the food is one point. Don't be deterred by the place, definitely worth a try :)
(5)
Critical R.
Great BBQ. Not traditional Carolina - sweeter non-vinegar sauce. The ribs are incredibly tender and good (I ate them with a fork it was so fall off the bone) and sandwiches are good and CHEAP. Only reason they get a 4 and not a 5 is that I was not impressed with the sides. Hush puppies were not very good, mac n cheese was too greasy and lacked flavor, although sweet potatoes and string beans were respectable.
(4)
Bruce C.
Had to upgrade my rating after visiting a few more times, recently. A $5 BBQ sandwich + 2 sides is unbeatable. You won't get a better value for your $ anywhere else.The flavor and tenderness of the sauce and meat is excellent!
(5)
Mary D.
A typical run of the mill BBQ place. Slightly long line with a cafeteria style setting. The staff was so helpful in selecting food. I decided to have the workman's special, which is their pork sandwich with coleslaw. There Mac & Cheese was so good, but their sweet potatoes was extremely delicious. My daughter is a picky eater, and she ended up eating most of the plate with me. I will definitely come back!!
(4)
Melissa B.
This is the best food ever! I always get the same thing. Pulled pork and brisket with a side of Mac and cheese and candied yams. I'm borderline licking the plate. Don't forget to add the pineapple lemonade.
(5)
Dexter P.
The barbecue was regular. Nothing glowing about the food. The best thing I had was the sweet tea/lemonade mix and greens. The candid yams was not good and had a biter taste, the worse I've had and I'm born and raised in the south. I know good barbecue and soul food! The ribs were ok but full of fat and the chopped pork was dry and average. The meal cost $17 and I left this place feeling like I didn't get my money worth. The place is a total dive and it's time for the owners to invest in improving the appearance of this place!
(3)
Gabriel C.
Came here about an hour before closing to order their brisket (4/5) and ribs (5/5) with sides of potato salad (3/5), collard greens (3/5), buttered corn (3/5), and hush puppies (3/5) The brisket was quite tender and drenched in a slightly sour/vinegary sauce, while the ribs were (again) tender meat which fell right off the bone, but drenched in a more "traditional" bbq sauce. Absolutely delicious and I've got plans to come back to try out other menu like the catfish!
(3)
Mark G.
The sauces are very good. Likes the Carolina style, one of my favs. Mac n cheese is delicious and how it should be made, the greens are tender, you can tell they were cooked slow, and taste very good. The hush puppies are a must try, fried cornmeal type of thing for rookies. The BBQ is excellent, pork ribs where awesome and the brisket was delicious as well. I'd say the pork is the big thing around these parts if you want to try only one meat. Good BBQ experience here.
(5)
Terry S.
Great stuff. Got the pulled pork and the brisket. I've never not needed to put extra sauce on pulled pork before -- this stuff was dynamite exactly as served.
(5)
Eddie L.
This place is better than the other Pit with barbecue that costs 5x more. The mac and cheese is AMAZING. Order a plate for less than $10 and then get two mac and cheese sides, and you're set for a meal and a half!
(5)
Steven L.
visit on 7/18/2011 More of a soul food restaurant than a bbq spot. As such the bbq is good, but not great. Pork sandwich was moist and tasty. While some enjoyed the ribs as being "fall off the bone," I felt that the meat had become much too soft to the extent of being almost mushy. BBQ ribs, in my opinion needs to have some chew to it. This did not. The hush puppies along with their other sides were pretty good though. This would be very good 'que in most other states, but I just don't think it holds up against the best in this BBQ state of NC.
(3)
Justin P.
Fresh! Authentic! Tasty! These are all some words I would use to describe the Backyard BBQ Pit. The Backyard BBQ Pit is a small restaurant off of Highway 55 and is the only BBQ restaurant in Durham to have an open pit fire to cook the BBQ. Cooking the BBQ in the pit is the only way for the meat to be tender and come right off the bone. I got the BBQ sandwich that is made from their delicious chopped BBQ. It's the perfect meal because it tastes amazing, and you don't have to empty your wallet because it is not all that expensive. Plus you get to add on 2 of their homemade sides. All of their sides are delicious and seem to be homemade. I got the mac and cheese and their yams. The mac and cheese is greasy and oily, but in a good way! The yams are great for kids because it is so sweet; it's like a dessert. However, it gives them a vegetable intake, which is good. The yams are super tasty. If you don't want BBQ or don't like BBQ, you can always get their juicy ribs or the amazing seafood. The Backyard BBQ Pit is one of the best places for BBQ because everything is better when it's in your backyard.
(5)
Shawn T.
The pulled pork, hushpuppies, greens....everything was great!
(5)
Cathy W.
Don't let the outside appearance fool you or steer you away! We weren't sure about the place when we pulled up, but I'm so glad we went inside. I felt a little out of place, as we were somewhat dressed up for the Yelp DPAC Hair event... but no one looked at us funny or made us feel weird. The menu is pretty limited and it's all posted on the board. You go up to the counter and it's like cafeteria-style... the guys were super nice and very understanding when we took a little time to figure out what to order. My husband and I both got the ribs and mac-n-cheese, and then he got the okra and I got the stew potatoes. We were going to order Cokes to drink and someone in front of us got a pineapple lemonade, so we both figured to try that instead. It wasn't cold enough for my liking (even after sitting for 20 minutes in a styrofoam cup of ice) but it was delicious. It has a very unique look inside, there are signatures all over the walls, and I guess that's what makes it a unique place to dine. All in all it was great and I'd come back again! My favorite place for BBQ is still the Pit in Raleigh, but this was a close runner-up!
(4)
Tracy H.
Amazing food. My favorite things were the collard greens and Brunswick stew. Both probably the best I've ever had.
(5)
Pete K.
This place is the Shiz Niz! I got to sample all of their BBQ and decided to go with the Rib Platter! The meat just fell off the bone! The potato salad, mac n cheese, hush puppies and sweet tea were just as good! This will be a repeat place for me! 5 plus stars!!!
(5)
Wayne K.
It may not look like much, but the food and team are amazing. I have a lot of BBQ in my travels, but this is my new Top of the List. Try brisket, chicken and ribs. The collard greens and done right and the beans are rich with molasses. The mac & cheese and hush puppies are outstanding. #BestOfBest.
(5)
Andrew D.
The food is good - I would call the BBQ good but not great Eastern NC Style, and the sides (collards and cabbage) were quite good. The service is great - the knuckleheads at Teriyakin! could learn a turn or two from the counter guys here, they're both efficient and engaging. (If you're judging just on the BBQ, probably 3 *'s...)
(4)
Michael B.
Droped back in for some barbecued goodness and was very pleased, i mean if you have to work on a Sunday you might as well do it on a full belly. I had the pork ribs this go-round and besides trimming a little more of the fat from them it was all good my friends. i think im becoming addicted to these ribs!!
(3)
Adam L.
This is your good ole' backwoods country cooking. Being from Eastern NC, this place reminds me of home; Fried everything, greasy everything, overwhelming amounts of cheese, butter, and gravy. Yum. The inside is HIDEOUS, as they have let people write graffiti all over everything. Also, the food can a little pricey to be honest... $14.50 for a rib plate and a drink..
(4)
Justin R.
Over 200 reviews and almost five stars??! Have you guys ever had BBQ before? A parking lot so full that people were having to back out and leave just as soon as they arrived, due to lack of space, a line inside snaking around the tables of the restaurant, and the same crew i saw on TV turning out food just as fast as they possibly could manage.- good signs at first glance, but chapel hill is in trouble if this place is supposed to be the best. After 25 minutes of waiting in line, and then waiting some more because they were out of ribs before i got to the front, i finally had my food, i tried to cover all the bases to sample this place- two rib plates, with macncheese, cole slaw, collard greens, corn, and hush puppies.(they were out of fried okra)-at 1pm. Got my ribs, 1st one waiting for the new batch, and they were all at room temperature, cold strait from the kitchen, sauce was good, ribs were no where close to even other decent places ive been to- i dare not bother comparing it to the best ive had- better off trying to decide if its better than a Mcdonald's McRib sandwich. Very fatty, not to much flavor... And COLD. Their mac and cheese is just noodles, cheddar, and a shit ton of butter.. Just as much oil as there is cheese, and the taste suffered because of that. I will stick with craft spongebob mac... Ive had better collards, they were ok, but who cares, the meat sucked. Hush puppies were cold, spongy, and tough on the inside, with no kind of real flavor, i was hoping for more of the maryland style pups served at crab shacks that are literally as addictive as cigarettes. Cole slaw had the right mix of seasoning but they strait up mince the cabbage to tiny bits, and the mixture is just to wet, good slaw at a bbq place- especially like what this one is supposed to be, with everything made in house, should never be past a rough chop. SAVE your MONEY!! Its an awesome town with plenty better places to eat!
(1)
Jeff Z.
This was the first NC style BBQ I ate, and oh boy, did it set the bar high. Almost too high. So high in fact that the renowned The Pit in Raleigh was just blah. We tried pretty much everything on menu except a few sides. I personally had the Working Man which is a BBQ sandwich with slaw on top and two sides. The sides I had, mac and cheese and green beans, were amazing. I think that meal was about $6... half of what you would pay for anything at The Pit. Now, I am not knocking The Pit, if you want a place with a million dollar atmosphere where you can stay for a few hours and drink and everything, that is excellent for that. But if you want the best BBQ in the Triangle and don't care about the atmosphere, the Backyard BBQ Pit is definitely the place to go. Check the hours though before you go, I believe they close at 6 pm some nights.
(5)
J T.
Great value. The pulled pork, hush puppies, collards, and Mac and cheese were OUTSTANDING! Friendly service. I'd go back in a heart beat.
(5)
Chris W.
Have been here several times. Always get the pork and it is fantastic. Seem to always get collard greens and mac/cheese, both are insanely good. Got the ribs tonight, very tender and juicy, but not something was missing with taste. Liked them, but probably won't get them again.
(5)
Oiyan P.
For me food elicits emotions, and Backyard BBQ Pit brought me to tears in front of people I just met 3 days ago... and I wasn't ashamed! So I'm here in NC with a bunch of eggheads from around the country, but mostly from the southeast (NC, GA, MS, LA, etc.). Having spent 2 years in Georgia for my masters ten years ago, I was really looking forward to getting some real southern BBQ... but training has been 8 a.m. till 6 p.m. everyday, and none of us have cars here, AND... being the eggheads we are, most of the group has gone back to their rooms every night to do some reading and writing. But the hotel dinner of suspicious salmon tonight gave me my best opportunity to convince a small group to ask the hotel van driver to bring us to Backyard BBQ Pit! So there we were a group of 5 political scientists, sociologists, and critical race scholars... We walked into the joint and up to the counter. Service was fast despite the long line of hungry patrons. The workers were super friendly. One of them noticed one of my colleagues who was looking really tired, and got her to smile. I got the pork ribs dinner with collard greens and mac & cheese, which I'd heard was amazing. Plus a sweet tea ... less than $11!!! I would have ordered a bottle of Fat Tire (BBQ with a great beer!), but I haven't had legit sweet tea in YEARS. So I had to go with the tea. We all sat down with bottles of hot sauce/secret sauce all around... as our table got quiet, everyone had smiles on their faces. One of my colleagues (a professor of political science) started dancing in her chair because the beans were that good! She let me try a bite, and I think there was brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon, and definitely a dollup of crack cocaine... OMG... amazing! It was sweet and smoky and filled with flavors dancing in my mouth. My pork ribs... I never used my knife. Fall off the bone, smoked to perfection with a perfect sauce with a slight kick of spice and a sweetness to it that really made this whole week! The ribs were so tender that even the bones were falling apart. The mac and cheese was not skimpy on the cheese... good quality cheddar cheese. I could have eaten a big bowl of it. And the greens were really good - just a touch on the too vinegary side, but the combination of flavors between all of the items on my plate - sweet, spicy, sour, savory, salty... Like I said, it all brought me to shed a few tears in front of people I've known strictly professionally since 3 days ago. And I wasn't the only one to exhibit emotion. Oh, and the servings were so massive that I could not finish my dinner. Don't worry... it didn't go to waste. I gave it to my colleague (another political science professor) who had ordered the beef ribs. He believes the pork ribs were better than the beef ribs. Oh yes... and you gotta love the decor at this place. It's straight up graffiti by patrons with pens, markers and sharpies. Oh Backyard BBQ Pit - I wish I could take you with me back home.
(5)
Ethan S.
Glory days, they'll pass you by. This place is amazing! Easy access off the highway, plenty of parking, fast moving line, and great vibe. The food: delicious, balanced, flavorful, made with love, made with expertise, and totally hits the spot. The staff: on point, all smiles, and they make sure everyone's order is perfect. All I really need to say is: chopped eastern NC BBQ
(5)
Ben S.
The Backyard BBQ Pit is just down the road from my home, and I feel fortunate to have a pretty darn good 'cue restaurant so close. I've been to nearly two dozen bbq restaurants in North Carolina, and over the lunch hour, this place ranks near the top of the list. The bbq is great, and the two sauces it seems that they have most of the time both go well with a hotter sauce that is also available. I especially like their mac and cheese and fried okra, but on a recent trip, my fiance and I became fans of their collards and fried cabbage. I've also brought friends here who have really enjoyed the ribs. The prices are lower than you might expect given the quality of the food. Some folks might not be fans of the decor, which consists of standard tables, chairs, and booths, and each wall is covered in the signatures and words of wisdom that patrons have left behind over the years. It's not pretty, but I prefer this decor to the fancified 'cue restaurants that one might venture to in... oh, let's say Raleigh (The Pit - I'm looking at you). There is also a small stage, where the owner's daughter and others sometime perform songs during the lunch hour, is actually a welcome sight (and sound). Recently, a friend of mine from my hometown was visiting the area, and I took him here for dinner. They had ran out of 'cue by 6:30 pm, but we enjoyed our ribs and all the sides. I'll definitely keep patronizing these folks as I continue living here.
(4)
Christine K.
Friendly service! I definitely jumped off the deep end and bit off WAY more than I could chew here. Ordered the ribs and pulled pork combo with mac and cheese, and stew as my sides. Food came with hush puppies as well. Also had some iced tea. delicious, reasonably priced food. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I felt sick afterwards (from eating too much food that i wasnt used to). A must do if you're in the area!
(4)
James M.
Real good, down home BBQ! Had rib plate w/2 sides (Mac n chz & Brunswick stu) loved it all! No need for xtra sauce, dived into those ribs til I had sauce on my ears. The sides were excellent, fresh & gooood! Wife had chicken plate w/ green beans n cabbage. She went all over it & I tried hers and that cabbage was so fresh tasting I then knew what I was missing elsewhere. Chicken fell off the bone and so good! Great service even tho they had worked a full slam packed day (they were running out of food while we were there just before closing) so accommodating friendly and sweet as mama. Gotta get back there!
(4)
Catie F.
This really gets 4 stars for food and customer service but 1 for decor/cleanliness. This is the kind of place that I ALWAYS get take out from because I like to imagine that I got it from someplace cleaner. It's a no excuses BBQ joint with plain white bread, greasy sides, and diabetic coma inducing sweet tea. I love their hush puppies and the $5 sandwich meal. It's straight up NC BBQ and it's what I get when I feel the need for a few thousand calories in one sitting or introducing my friends and family to real NC BBQ.
(3)
Yeelo N.
7 working days in RTP, what do you eat? After my first lunch at the cafeteria, I knew I had to do something different come day 2, pronto. That next day, I looked for something close and yummy. Thanks Yelp, you never disappoint! 10 mins down the way, I arrived at Backyard BBQ Pit. AWESOME. Small joint, cafeteria style, and boy was the grub good! The que was different from what I'm used to in CA but I loved it. I got way too much food: pulled pork, ribs, mac&cheese, green beans, and hush puppies. At first, I thought, hmm...pulled pork is a bit boring, but then I saw the sauces on the counter. Apparently the idea is to put all the great sauce on the pork to make it yours. :) Aww, now I'm IN! The hush puppies - great! The hot sauce, OMG, drool (I know, it's JUST hot sauce, but trust me, it was amazing). 5 more lunches before I head home, you can bet that I'll be here again. :9
(4)
Romin B.
Some things don't make sense. Like how a barbecue enthusiast who has lived in the triangle for 7 years is just now getting around to one of the highest rated joints in the area. After only one visit, I'm ready to side with the yelp community here; Backyard BBQ may be my new go-to place for some delicious 'cue. As a pulled pork man, how could I say no to a pork sandwich with 2 sides for $4.99. Are you kidding me? The pork was extremely moist and perfectly complemented with some tasty slaw. I got mac and cheese and potato salad for my sides. Both were quite satisfying. Mac and cheese was filled with cheesy goodness and the potato salad was super creamy with a nice lemony zing. Not for those who prefer light on the mayo, but delicious all the same. I also added an order of a half-dozen hush puppies for 89 cents (ended up getting 7, score!), and as sizable as these things were (think jumbo doughnut holes), another exceptional value. I almost forgot to mention sauces. As any respectable barbecue joint, they have the traditional style and the eastern bbq vinegar style. The eastern was some of the best I've had, a harmonious blend of vinegar and pepper to accentuate the already delicious pork. The western style was pretty good as well, a bit sweet, but a nice change-up. Not sure I can pass up the incredible deal of the pork sandwich combo, but the entire menu looked pretty amazing. Needless to say, it won't be 7 years before my next visit, probably more like 7 days. Don't make my mistake, head on over!
(5)
Sheri T.
Dirty little hole in the wall of BBQ goodness! Their pulled pork is simply amazing! Love it! Their fried chicken? Just like Grandma makes! Try it!
(4)
Gary G.
Great BBQ, certainly the best in the area. Mac and cheese is off the hook. Very reasonable prices and good service from friendly people make this place a winner.
(4)
Paula S.
True barbecue spot. The barbecue turkey was really good although it was kinda heavy on vinegar - I applaud the fact that they even have this on the menu. The chicken is great - really tender. And the mac & cheese is GREAT!
(5)
Coleen T.
I saw this place on man vs food and just had to try it! I got a bbq sandwich with hushpuppies and brunswick stew. everything was amazing and the staff was very kind and hospitable. the atmosphere was so durham... it was great.
(5)
Rachel K.
What a gem! Backyard BBQ welcomes guests not with their decor, but their stellar service and excellent eastern style, vinegar-based BBQ. If you look past the poor decor and no air conditioning, you'll find some seriously mouthwatering food. My husband and I went around 1:30 PM, right in the middle of a serious lunch crowd. The store was PACKED -- and the line moved slow, but the employees actively engaged with each customer that came through the line. We ordered two pork BBQ plates which came with two sides (we chose mac and cheese and coleslaw) and hushpuppies. The coleslaw was finely cut and packed with flavor, but the Mac and cheese was swimming in grease. I'm not sure if this was because we got one of the last scrapings of it, but it wasn't good. The pork bbq and hushpuppies, however, stole the show. Oh my goodness. The hushpuppies were light and crispy, and the BBQ was full of flavor. Even though we were slightly taken aback by the interior and mac and cheese, we'll still definitely be back. After all, this is a BARBECUE joint.
(4)
Daisy J.
Lunch was very good there. A humble place with big flavors!! I came from Memphis and am used to good BBQ. I thought this place was very good though I"m still more partial to the dry rub. BBQ here is the tomato sauce based. Both briskets and ribs are soaked in this sweet, tangy sauce. Pull pork is more NC style, vinegar-based. My favorite is the sides actually. Fried Cabbage, MacN'Cheez, fried okras, slaw are VERY good. True taste of home made southern food. My next to try is their fried fish!
(4)
Steve D.
The food is great but it needs to be an abundance people drive from all over and to hear that you don't have an particular item is heart breaking . I would eat there every day if the guys taking the order were professional and friendly if they sold you service instead of just good food this establishment could go places i just feel disrespected and rushed when I order I'm not trying to put them down just trying to help
(3)
Joel E.
Decided to go simple and cheap: Pork BBQ sandwich platter w/two sides ($4.99), sweet tea to drink. Cole slaw on the sandwich, green beans and mac & cheese for sides, squeezed a dash of house sauce on the pork. Sandwich was incredibly good. Green beans seemed like an uninspired choice at the time, but can't recall having eaten green beans this good -- very well seasoned. Mac & cheese was especially delicious. Next time I'm gonna go for the yams but can't give up that Mac & cheese. Very, very pleased with my choices. Do wish they had self-serve drinks -- when I eat BBQ I *always* need more to drink faster than I can get refill service from behind a counter. Had to go the restroom to find napkins, but I ain't complaining. I'm coming back. Soon.
(5)
Karen H.
Awesome BBQ! The line was out the door. Our family had chicken, brisket, fried pork, and fried fish. Everything was delicious including the sides. We will definitely go back next time we are in town. The only reason we didn't give 5 stars is because it was too hot to eat in the restaurant-so we took it back to our room.
(4)
Joseph F.
By far the best BBQ place in the Durham area hands down! Try the Mac and Cheese...AWESOME!!!
(5)
Puneet M.
Just like the name sounds, when you get your plate of food you feel like your at a backyard BBQ. When you first walk in you notice the deli esk layout of the place, and a hidden fear rises inside of you when you see two people behind the counter taking orders and barking clarifications. You suddenly feel like you are at the Soupnazi... but don fret they are nice people wont shoo you down the line. Ok on to the food, the food is solid bbq. It is a no nonsense place where smell and look of the food has your drooling. I would highly recommend this place not only for the prices but the food too. The quality is just like home and you almost feel like you should be sitting outside in shorts and t-shirt at your neighbors place! Again highly recommend Backyard BBQ Lets throw another shrmp on the barbie! Cheers mates and wipe that BBQ sauce off your face.
(4)
Bashante R.
So I'm in town from St. Louis on my moms couch recovering from surgery. Naturally my mom is going to take great care of me but I'm a very picky eater. So when my mom walks in the house and says I have dinner, I'm a little concerned. Her male friend had made a couple of failed attempts to provide a tasty southern meal. When I opened the box and saw the Mac and cheese I was elated. It looked sooooo tasty. I sampled everything and it was great. The best southern food I have had in a while. So when I come home next time, I have to have backyard BBQ pit.
(5)
James B.
People, this is real barbecue. Not that poor imitation, chopped pork stirred with BBQ sauce. Authentic, Carolina country, real wood smoke, barbecue done right. Don't look for silverware, tablecloths or waitresses serving you in short skirts. Nothing fancy at Backyard BBQ Pit, just great barbecue & classic southern side dishes. Loved the green beans. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Amelia Z.
Eastern NC BBQ doesn't get better than this. The meat is amazing and the sauces they have available are great. The macaroni and cheese is completely loaded with cheese and then has more cheese on top. How could you possibly improve on that? Just make sure you don't go right around lunch time (5:30-7ish) as they tend to run out of BBQ!
(5)
Lindsay S.
This is your country, home-cookin', southern goodness right here on Highway 55 in Durham folks! The parking picks are slim, but the line inside moves quickly. The menu is simple, but that's all it's meant to be. Perfect for a casual lunch or in and out to take something tasty back to the office! BBQ plate with 2 sides for $6.49. Hello! Yes, please. They have quite a few sides to pick from coleslaw, okra, potatoes, fries, corn, mac'n cheese, green beans and more. Oh ya know, the standards when eatin' good comfort food! The plate has a good-sized portion of bbq and even comes with a few delish hushpuppies on the side too. I got corn and green beans as my sides. Add in a Sweet Tea and I'm in Heaven. Go through the line and at the cashier they hand you your food in a standard styrofoam take-out box. Everyone gets it served that way whether you're eatin' in or out. I wish they were more Earth friendly and had some cardboard or some other kinda materials, but that food was good. We sat down at a booth. This building is ancient and the plastic chairs are too with decor mannerisms like an old Hardee's or something. There are drawings and writing all over the walls kind of like an old school cafeteria. No pretenses. Just yummmm. For a change, I actually gobbled down all my food too with no leftovers!
(4)
Kevin P.
Best chopped pork sandwich I have ever eaten! This is a very unassuming little establishment. We walked in and looked confused as to what to order. The guy at the counter said "This your first time here?" I answered "Yes." He promptly fixed up a sheet of butcher paper with all the meats and hush puppies for us to try. He made very good suggestions and won my favor with regards to chopped pork. I got the working mans special. $4.99 for a chopped pork sandwich and two sides. This sandwich was legit! Just the right amount of vinegar (no need to add), cole slaw and spice. The pork was juicy and the bread held it together extremely well. My two sides were mac and cheese and boiled cabbage. The mac and cheese was just ok. It kind of all gelled together. The boiled cabbage was very good and went well with my sandwich. I would go back there in a heart beat if i'm ever in the area again. A must visit if you only have one chance to get easter Carolina BBQ
(5)
Mike G.
Had the ribs, mac n cheese and collard greens. Ribs were awesome, the collard greens were just as good. I wish I could say the same for the mac n cheese. I've had better. The hush puppies were a nice finish however. Overall definitely recommended! I'll definitely come back to this place next time I'm in RTP.
(4)
Roll T.
I'm surprised. Not only did Backyard get the indelible stamp of my brother (a bonafide BBQ guru), but it also managed to build its reputation in short order while under the considerable shadow of a number of hallowed North Carolina BBQ joints. But I don't think this is the best BBQ I have had in North Carolina; in fact, I think Allen & Son might even be better BBQ in the Triangle. That isn't to say Backyard does not provide some tasty ribs. But overall, at least on this visit, it simply did not live up to expectations. Ribs were lightly sauced and had no pull. While I loved the flavor of the meat, it had lost considerable texture (it was almost like a rib mush). While most people rave about fall-off-the-bone meat (and this would be a textbook example of that), I actually thought it was too tender. The brisket, on the other hand, was entirely too tough and did not retain enough moisture. This experience further cemented my belief that ordering brisket outside of the state of Texas is an exercise in futility. Other than the combination pulled pork, bacon, and brisket sandwich at the incredibly underrated Big Bad Wolf in Baltimore, MD, I haven't really found a palatable brisket experience outside of Texas. The sides were relatively standard. The greens were well flavored and the mac-n-cheese was fine. Within the Triangle, I like the sides best at Q-Shack but Backyard is in the conversation. Overall, if your expectations aren't set too high, you are probably going to enjoy this place.
(3)
Dawn L.
All I can say is the food is the closes I can get to my moms cooking. I ordered the pork barbecue ribs, mac and cheese, and cabbage, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. I devoured the entire meal, and my dog enjoyed the bones. OMG, the strawberry cheesecake was off the chain, and the hush puppies, mmm good. I could have eaten about 10 of those puppies. I am going to try to exercise some control, but I will definitely be back.
(4)
Sarah H.
The whole side-of-the-road, BBQ joints are one of my favorite things about North Carolina and the Backyard BBQ Pit didn't disappoint. The prices were excellent, for $4.95 I got the working man's lunch with a BBQ sandwich with slaw and two sides. Both the green beans and the mac'n'cheese were delicious. The 'cue was especially moist, tender, and I really enjoyed their vinegar sauce. I agree with Christina G's complaint about the lack of condiments on the tables. Even stranger is their lack of any hot sauce (especially Texas Pete). But it's definitely a great place to pop into and add to your tour of NC BBQ.
(4)
Joseph A.
If you don't love this place, seek psychiatric help and taste bud replacement surgery. This is some seriously outstanding food prepared by wonderful people.
(5)
Chad E.
The mac n cheese here is phenomenal, and the barbeque is really good. I have not tried anything here that I did not like. If you want some good old southern cooking, this is the place to go! The building doesn't look very nice from the outside, and the inside actually has writing all over the walls. TRUST ME... go in and try it! Don't let the looks deceive you. There is barbeque gold in that odd looking treasure chest!
(5)
Matthew K.
I've driven past Backyard BBQ Pit for years. Never thought of going in. But then it was profiled on Man vs. Food. Well, that piqued my interest. I have a bone to pick with the old me who drove by without ever going in. He was a bad, bad man. BBBQP is really great. Okay, it looks like a disaster area from the outside. And not much better from the inside. And my nutritionist probably would beat me for eating there, if I had a nutritionist. But the food makes up for all else. And really, there is no more else to make up for anyway. My first visit was to take my 12 year old for some pulled pork sammiches. They were top notch. Second visit was with a buddy from work. He had the pulled pork and raved. I took a different approach this time. I asked what was the best entree. "Well, I like the ribs best, but . . ." I cut her off there, "No buts, if your first call was ribs, let's go ribs." She put some ribs on my plate and passed it to someone else for sides. "What'll you have with it?" "Whatever you think would be best." He gave me an aprising look, turned away from the sides in steam trays and passed my plate through to the kitchen, "Lemme get some white potatoes on this here plate." Then he added some greens and mixed and matched a few sauces onto the ribs. This is not the platter I would have made for myself. Bad, bad self. Incredible. I don't know if the potatoes were stewed or boiled or steamed, but they were delctible. They were falling apart, making their own potato gravy. A bit of pepper bite. Just incredible starchy goodness. I'm not a big fan of greens (mustard, turnip, whatever) in general, but the vinegar flavor just brought out a freshness that I didn't expect. And don't get me started on the hush puppies. The fact that the ribs were fall-off-the-bone bites of heaven just put me into a different world. But the topper was yesterday's visit. My wife asked me to pick up a roast chicken from Whole Foods on the way home from work. A mad inspiration hit me and I went to BBBQP for a smoked chicken instead. I've seen the smoked chicken before, but the BBQ and ribs always overrode my desire to try the chicken. I ordered a whole chicken, and as I was paying, I mentioned that I was supposed to get a roast chicken, but wanted to try their smoked chicken. Well, I was in trouble then. "What? You've never had my chicken?" Before I knew it, I had been forced into a seat with a stack of napkins and a chicken leg (drumstick and thigh) plunked down in front of me, smothered in BBQ sauce. I took a bite and it was incredible. As I savored my next few bites, I sensed someone approaching . . . next thing I new there was a plate of hush puppies alongside the chicken. I chuckled as I happily dug into them. Suddenly there was a glass of iced tea/lemonade mix there too. A nice little pre-dinner meal! I thanked everyone for the incredible food and insane service and went home to earn the love and admiration of my family with the surprise smoked chicken. The divorce proceedings which my wife had started that morning and my children's case for independence from me were both cancelled after dinner.
(4)
Melissa P.
By far, my favorite place to get BBQ in Durham. Try the MAC b'day cheese, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Joe P.
I feel like I need to preface this review with two facts: 1. I am a dumb northerner and know nothing about what makes BBQ brilliant. All I know is what makes my tastebuds happy. 2. I'm a total Man Vs. Food fanboy, so I lap up pretty much every word that Adam Richman spits out. With the exception of his Primanti Brothers raves. I'd like to think he was drunk when that happened. Both of these will cloud my judgment heavily from here on out. So let's get the unpleasant part out of the way first: the decor. Yuck. I felt like I was getting Hepatitis C just by looking at the place. The good folks at Backyard BBQ Pit encourage you to write on their walls. It is aesthetically not-pleasing. The walls needs to be washed and repainted in the worst way. Now on to the good stuff: the food. I had a pulled pork sandwich with yams and collard greens... because there's no such thing as that kind of food up north, and I crave it when I'm in the south. Like, once I hit below Virginia, all I can think about are collard greens and how badly I would kill someone to get them in my mouth. Immediately. I digress. Collard greens were heavenly here. Slight vinegar kick to them, which was really a treat, and if they hadn't been sitting with a ham hock and simmering on a stove for hours and hours before being served to me, I'll be dipped. The subtle undercurrent of meaty yum-yum is delightful. The yams were like God's Message To Us That Everything Would Be All Right. The sauce was rich, thick, and spiced with enough brown sugar to make it a dessert. Oh, and boy were they cooked to perfection. Soft and mushy and perfect. But friends, we're here to talk about the barbecue. I've never had "North Carolina" rub. In fact, before visiting this establishment, I stupidly assumed that barbecue was barbecue (even after having Memphis barbecue). I no longer subscribe to that idiot belief. No way, no how. First of all, there's that combination of spices that Richman gushed over on Man Vs. Food. It's there. And it's incredible. Sharp, spicy, acidic, and beautifully blended with the meat that is so tender and juicy it could make a grown man cry. I bought a quart of it to take back to Pittsburgh. It also bears mentioning that the employees who work here are good, kind, lovely people. When I bought the quart and asked how long it would stay since I had an 8 hour drive ahead of me, the woman behind the counter said, "Baby, wait right here," and, moments later, returned with a tub that they had already frozen. "That oughta last ya." Then they showed me the smokehouse so prominently featured on Man Vs. Food. Yes, these are amazing people. When my quart of barbecue runs out, I might just have to pay them another visit. It'll be worth the drive.
(5)
Cassie O.
I've eaten here many times. They never disappoint me. I always get the barbeque and Mac and cheese. Lunch time is Very busy you may be standing out but the line moves very very fast. No need to worry a lot of people eat here on their lunch break. Also try the pineapple lemonade if like sweet stuff.
(5)
Kevin Y.
Seriously some of the tastiest and cheapest barbecue I have ever had! I came here after work one day because my co-workers raved about how good this place is...and boy, were they right! I had the brisket dinner plate with mac & cheese and coleslaw. I wanted to try their pulled pork as well, but they had run out by the time I got to the restaurant! Legitimately some of the best brisket I've ever had though. The coleslaw and mac & cheese are simple and classic, and that's probably what makes them so tasty as well. As good as the food is, don't expect anything from the actual restaurant itself. The whole building looks old and run-down and there is no food presentation at all. The best way to describe the restaurant would be a mini-high school cafeteria line. Maybe the contrast between the appearance of the restaurant and the actual taste of the food is what makes this restaurant that much more mind-blowing. If you're in the area and are jonesing for some barbecue, do yourself a favor and make a trip here.
(5)
Ira B.
This is probably the best bbq that I had in my Research Triangle extravaganza. Very good wet bbq. The chicken was perhaps the best that I have had. Pork and rib were great too. Sides OK, but we went very late. And like the other reviewers said, the staff is one of the nicest I have ever seen. Looks like I'm taking friends back...perhaps as soon as tonight.
(5)
Thomas I.
I love Backyard BBQ Pit. I have been here twice now... once when I first moved to Durham and now again a year or so later. Since I first tried Backyard BBQ I have tried several other Triangle BBQ establishments. I can say, hands down, that this place is the best. The prices are low, the food is spectacular. On the down side, the place is a little sketchy. The A/C doesn't work (or at least it didn't today) and the restaurant seems a bit dingy and dirty. The NC State sanitation score posted on the wall was a little lower than I would have liked it to be. With that said, the best BBQ places I have been in my life have all been a little sketchy. Seriously, I would argue that their pulled pork sandwich (with slaw, of course) is probably the best pork sandwich I have ever had. The mac & cheese is fantastic. The tea is perfect. Go here and nowhere else.
(5)
P G.
Ok, so you have to know the style of BBQ to appreciate it. If you like Kansas style or Texas BBQ, you may not like Carolina style. The sauce is a bit vinegary tangy. So if you're expecting heavy rub/smoked, this is not the BBQ style you're looking for... you may want to go about 1000 miles west. So the place isnt in a cute bistro on cute plates. So what? The food is really good and very well priced. The folks at the counter were very nice (could tell I wasnt from around here) and offered me tastes of a few things while in line! I ended up with a combo plate of ribs and brisket, okra and mac&cheese and it comes with a side of hush puppies. The hush puppies and fried okra were served to order - hot, crispy and sooo yummy! I'd say the mac&cheese was good, but nothing super special. The Brisket was very tasty and fall apart tender. The ribs were a little on the dry ,but the ones I got were one of the last ones in the bin. I would say between the two, get the brisket. Or for the ribs, wait for a fresh batch to come out. I think the place has it's own ambiance and character...you guys are awesome and the food is fantastic! It's my new go-to BBQ on my trips to RDU!!
(5)
Ray A.
Great place. When you get out of your car, you know that smoky smell means pure goodness. So I ordered the pulled pork and all I have to say is its OK. I wasn't blown away with its flavor. Next time I'll try the ribs. The Mac and Cheese on the other hand was sensational !
(2)
Amy M.
This place is amazing. The pork BBQ was so good, it didn't need any sauce. I used some anyway, because the BBQ sauce was tasty too. After reading the reviews, I had to order the pork and the ribs. The guy behind the counter was pretty funny. He asked if someone was going to help me eat all the food i was ordering. I told him it would make great left overs. I'm usually picky about mac and cheese. This one is worth ordering. The noodles were cooked perfectly and there is just the right amount of real cheese. Oh, so good. The ribs were fall off the bone great. I could taste the seasoning on the ribs even with the BBQ sauce on it. YUM! Wherever you are in North Carolina, if you want BBQ, come here. You won't be disappointed. The food was so good, I didn't mind the lack of air conditioning. Come here for the food and staff, not the decor. The price is right too.
(5)
Poki C.
5 dollar working man special bravo, rib is good but bit pricy. Anyway it's a good choice for lunch
(5)
A V.
Wow. If you like Carolina BBQ go here. Drove straight to the BBQ pit from the Raleigh airport on a Monday night. Had the pulled pork combo with chicken (baked beans and mac & cheese as sides) along with a bottomless sweet tea. The pork was amazing. Well seasoned and moist. The white meat chicken had a nice amount of smoke and was also moist. I agree with most reviewers that the mac & cheese is very good but I also particularly enjoyed the baked beans which had an unexpected black pepper flavor. Oh, and the hush puppies were amazing. Fluffy and not greasy. Staff was pretty friendly and patient with customers struggling to decide what to order. If I return to RDU any time soon I will head straight back to the BBQ pit. Just go.
(5)
Kimmy M.
Good stuff! This is the kind of food that makes me miss NC! I've lived out of the area for some time, but I always stop by on my way out of town to get some NC goodness to take back home with me! Love the macaroni & cheese & greens the most! Yum!!! Staff is also great! They always have a smile & remember me!
(4)
Liz B.
NC BBQ nirvana, elusive for so long, I have now found you. The pulled pork sandwich, while humble on the plate, is a miracle once it enters your mouth. I got the cole slaw on the side and smothered it on half the sandwich, and it's excellent either with or without slaw. I can't tell you how many times I've tried and hated collard greens. Backyard's collard greens actually taste good. Yet another miracle. And their mac-and-cheese is AMAZING. As tasty as Poole's, but way cheaper. Although the food is stealthily fantastic, the true charm of this place is the staff--humble, cheerful, kind, and thoroughly unpretentious. One of the staff kept walking around the tables, checking in with all the customers, making sure they were happy. Many have commented on the unpleasant appearance of this place. Well, I think of it this way...I consider a guy who's unattractive by conventional standards, shabbily dressed, maybe chubby, or very skinny. But he is completely at home in his skin. He KNOWS himself, without apology, and is genuinely warm, caring, funny. Backyard BBQ Pit is that guy. If that guy tastes like delicious, juicy, smokey, meaty heaven. To compare, a certain overpraised shiny BBQ joint in Raleigh is the overgroomed, trendy metrosexual who tries too hard and tastes like Acqua di Gio.
(5)
Steve L.
BBQ is OK. If you want something fried, like french fries be prepared to wait. I've not tired them as my 30 minute lunch time won't allow a 15 minute wait for fries. Not so sure about sanitary practices here either as I've witnessed some things that will keep me from going back.
(3)
chris b.
Fantastic food... We had the Pork with Mac n Cheese and Black Eyed Peas! This is the first time I have protected my food like a dog. No way were the kids gong to get a bite off my plate. I only gave it four stars because the place needs updating. However, that cost money and would drive the price up...I think it may be the best deal in town. Just not the place to take your first date on. Enjoyed every bite and I will go back.
(4)
Kevin F.
If you're on a health kick skip this place. If you love southern comfort food you'll be in heaven. I used to work right near the Backyard BBQ Pit and my friend is the one that introduced me to this place. Their working man's special is a bbq sandwich with a side for $4.99. It's enough to fill you up for sure. I'm glad my friend told me to take a bite before adding bbq sauce. It was by far the best bbq I have had since I have lived in NC. I had bbq from Boone to the coast and the Backyard BBQ Pit is my favorite. The goodness doesn't just stop there. The people working there are great and the sides are amazing. The mac and cheese is a glob of gooey goodness. The fried cabbage is awesome. You can tell the cabbage and green beans have been cooked with so much bacon I doubt you could still consider them a vegetable. The only sides I didn't care for was the brunswick stew and stewed potatoes. The beans, okra, corn, cabbage, green beans, mac and cheese and other stuff is great. The bad thing about this place is everything looks so good you have a hard time choosing what you want. You'll order a sandwich then when they're putting the pork on someone will order bbq chicken and when they open the lid with the chicken, YOU WILL want chicken. That's at least until they open the lid for the ribs. Then you'll want ribs. You have to almost order then look away. The sweet tea is hit or miss. You either get great tea or syrup. The staff is great about swapping it out if you get to the bottom of the barrel tea. I can't stress how great this place is. Their prices are cheap too. I take everyone I know here when they visit and even people from NC say they are ruined after eating there. They compare all other bbq to the Backyard BBQ Pit now. It has become a standard in what good bbq should be. The main way the bbq is cooked is with hickory wood. It's slowly cooked for hours. Similar to how The Pit downtown cooks there bbq but they use charcoal. I believe the hickory wood adds better flavor.
(5)
James W.
The barbeque was excellent! It was moist, without being too moist. The flavor was great; it doesn't need any extra sauce. It had just enough kick, but not too much. Like the story of the 3 bears, it was just right. The mac and cheese was just as perfect. The hushpuppies were very good. They had a sweet crispy outside and a soft white center. Just know they do not have butter for the hushpuppies, but I didn't end up needing it because of how good they were. The collards were disappointing. I would try the green beans or cabbage next time. Also know for those that can't (or shouldn't) drink sweet tea, that is your only tea option. However there are fountain drinks and canned drinks...and water. The parking lot was packed and I had to go around back. The line was really long, but even with all that, there were still seats available inside. Another hot item, that I'll have to try later, was the pork chops. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Andrew R.
I don't normally grant 5 stars, but Backyard needs six. This is the BEST pig I've had in the Triangle Area, seriously. Perfectly smoked, very tender, and the sauce is fantastic. As for sides, we tried the mac n' cheese, fried okra and hush puppies; they were all fantastic, in that stuff-your-grandma-makes-for-the-family-reunion kind of way. The best part of the sides was how firm the okra was, not at all soggy like so many other places. I still need to try the ribs, so, an update will be forthcoming.
(5)
Adam K.
In Raleigh for one night with only 1 BBQ lunch opportunity. Scoured Yelp for BBQ close by, looked at the Pit reviews and then decided I wanted old style, backyard smokehouse. Decided in Backyard BBQ Pit as it was highly rated and close by. I was definitely a happy BBQ camper! First a quick glance at the outdoor smokehouse behind the restaurant, this is the real deal and they had just finished a chicken smoke. The smell was amazing! In the restaurant I was greeted by a line of people, young and old, students, working people and definitely a local feel. The restaurant is old school Formica tables, counter ordering and a menu that was both handwritten with today's fish as well a fast food style Marquis. I had the feeling that I had walked into the Right place! I ordered the ribs, with sides of collard greens, mac and cheese and a few hush puppies., The ribs were succulent, meat fell off the bone, the BBQ sauce was perfect! The bones were soft from the 9 hours they spent in the backyard smokehouse! The sides were great. Mac and cheese was different with a good mix of cheese, macaroni and breadcrumbs, you have to have this side! The collars greens were good with a subtle vinegar and lemon taste, done right an made me feel that at least I had a vegetable with this wild and highly caloric meal. All in all, a great experience. I had a chat out back with one of the guys from the restaurant and he was terrific. We talked BBQ and future plans, watch out, these guys are gonna be big in the NC BBQ world! I'll be back and really look forward to it. NY BBQ just doesn't get there the way NC downhome does! Don't miss this gem!
(5)
Eric W.
I was in RTP on business and had a night free for dinner. I took a chance on this based on reviews here and on UrbanSpoon (sorry). I am really glad I did! It is a small place -- but not too small. And I would say that in general, cleanliness is not necessarily an area of emphasis. But oh, the food. I was going to have just the pulled pork and the brisket -- but as I was ordering, a yell came from the back -- "Fresh catfish right out the fryer," So yes, I ended up with the three meat platter. Added collards and mac&cheese, throw in the obligatory and complimentary hushpuppies and I had myself a feast. The pork was juicy, tender and smokey. The vinegar based NC style BBQ sauce was the perfect foil for the rich meat. The brisket was fall apart tender and delicious -- served in a "gravy" that I have no clue what was in it -- but VERY good. The catfish was crispy, perfectly spiced and flaky and tender -- and at two pieces per order probably more than I needed. Sides were great -- and the hushpuppies were light and crispy. Add a sprinkling of hot sauce to the collards, mac&cheese and hushpuppies to gild the lilly a bit. I don't often come to RTP, but when I do, I am going to make this place a regular stop.
(4)
Marit H.
Ridiculously good! Six stars! Where are you diners, drive-ins and dives? Bring some sharpies for the walls too.
(5)
Kyla W.
The Mac and cheese was the best I've ever had and in 24 years of life I've had lots of Mac and cheese!! I walked out after eating a BBQ plate, collards and the Mac and immediately fell into a delightful food coma.
(5)
Stacie N.
BBQ met soul food, one thing led to another, and it was good. This place may never be able to claim the title of best 'cue in the state, or even the Triangle, but it is a solid, reliable go-to. Here's why: These folks are, to my knowledge, the only smokehouse in Durham County that still actually cooks over wood coals. Not Bullock's, nor the Q Shack, nor any of the other popular places. In my opinion, you can taste the difference. While the meat itself is (I'd say) undersauced when you get it, you get a better baseline with a wood-smoked slab of meat. When you do add sauce, it's white vinegar-based, which is atypical for this region. That may be partly why it lacks punch, but it's completely edible. The slaw and pups are just a touch too sweet for me, but these are not dealbreakers. Most folks quite love them. And saying they're a touch too sweet doesn't mean I don't still find them pretty decent (they are), but we're putting that out there. The mac and cheese--more appropriately, cheese with mac--is good in that artery-clogging soul-satisfying sort of way, but I also find their other sides appealing. The sweet potatoes are heavenly, good greens and green beans, the cabbage is tasty, the corn nice and salty, and the Brunswick stew is ok (again, a bit too sweet for my liking, but that seems to be the style locally). The other meats are also flavorful and fall-off-the-bone tender (some call this overcooked--if you're one of those folks, stick to the 'cue), though more expensive than the barbecue. These folks are ultra-friendly. I never go there without getting a smile and/or some playful teasing and/or some samples of other foods. Even from the gruff guy at the front of the line who gives you grief if you don't tell him up-front that you want slaw with your barbecue. These are good people. They want you to leave fed and happy, and it shows. And what's more, Backyard BBQ Pit still has good pricing on their 'cue. $4.99 for a sandwich combo (sandwich plus two sides). $6.99 for a plate (cue, slaw, puppies, two sides). Never paid much attention to how much the drinks cost, but I'd guess $1.50, with free refills. And they serve beer, though I've never seen a single person order one. Pineapple lemonade is worth trying out. Anyway, give it a shot. Don't expect the best, but do expect a solid, better-than-average standard bearer with great pricing and great people.
(4)
Brent N.
Best BBQ in durham! Just delicious. I've had the BBQ sandwich both times I've been here and the flavor is to die for. A sandwich and 2 sides for $4.99? YES, PLEASE!! The sides: The baked mac and cheese is delicious, but way too greasy for my liking. (there is a half-inch of grease left over after you eat it) Hushpuppies are just OK - too light for my liking (I think Q Shack has them beat on this) and missing that cornmeal taste that I just love. Green beans were tasty (but seemed as if they were from a can). Everyone working here is also super, super nice. Recommended.
(4)
Alice W.
I only thought this was place was OK. Kind of dingy, the mac and cheese is really not that great (or even good). The BBQ was, however, decent, which gives this place 3 stars. If a friend REALLY wanted BBQ, I would take them here since there's not too many places like this around, but I doubt I will go back again.
(3)
David H.
Pig the way it should taste and good people to boot. Can't wait to go back and try the chicken.
(5)
Ron W.
Nothing says home like good ol' country cooking and that's exactly what you get at the Backyard BBQ Pit! It's a humble little place that puts out mounds of delicious Southern cooking at great prices. The Backyard BBQ Pit has been on my bookmarks FOREVER but I'm rarely in that hood. At the intersection of 54/55, just head south about half a mile on 55 to find the place. It's an easy shot if you're headed to or from RDU airport. But yeah, the food! I had the beef brisket with a side of mac n cheese, and collard greens, great stuff. The brisket were several big hunks of hewn meat with a tasty red BBQ sauce, tender and delicious. The mac n cheese was serious greasy goodness with bread crumbs. And the hushpuppies on the side were great for finishing off the leftover gravy, well fried but a bit plain. No diets allowed here, just good eatin' Loved the place, the staff at Backyard BBQ Pit seems to have a lot of fun and care about their food and customers. For $10, you can't go wrong with a meal here. And while I love The Pit, I'll also love a place like Backyard BBQ. Formica tables, steam trays, magic marker graffiti on the wall and food served on styrofoam plates (yeah, not the greenest idea). Because it's all about the food for me, and it's great when it's done with love and care like the Backyard BBQ Pit!
(4)
Bradley W.
Delicious!!! Got take out. The bbq was excellent as well as the mac 'n cheese and fried okra. the service was a little slow, but there was an accident in the parking lot.... so I'll cut them a little slack. Great food. I highly recommend it and will definitely be back.
(4)
Mark M.
My my can we say yummm-mmy. En route to the airport I realize "you're in North Carolina and you haven't had bbq!". Yelp to the rescue...this place is not far from I-40 and it's open! Thank goodness I didn't have a meeting or anything after because my hands, clothes, and breath were in no shape. However, my tummy was very happy. The ribs - top notch. Very wet, though (and incredibly messy). Mac and cheese pretty great--but nothing to write home about. Okra - fried fresh when you order it. Only sweet tea available. Hush puppies - how can you screw up fried dough (and don't worry - they don't). I'm a Texan--born and bred--and know my bbq. While the styles are different, I have to say this place measures up!
(4)
Bruce G.
I've been back a few more times and everything I have had there has been great. I like their sides better than Q-Shack which is saying a lot since I like Q-Shack a lot as well. Their Mac and Cheese is sinfully good, their baked beans to die for and the hush puppies are heavenly!
(5)
Emily R.
The brisket here was great, but I didn't care for the collards. I normally love collared and turnip greens, but these were so vingeary and boiled down I couldn't eat them. The mac 'n cheese was good, but the hush puppies tasted like funnel cake to me. I prefer a corn meal hush puppy. I also found a hair in my food that was definitely not my hair, so I'm not sure if I'll be back. Everyone was really nice though.
(3)
Mallory R.
This place is so good y'all. As someone who doesn't like vinegary BBQ (so sue me!), I love this place! I haven't tried the famous Chapel Hill spots like Allen and Sons (although they're definitely on my list), but this place is my favorite around Durham so far. I am going to be in the minority, but I'm not the biggest fan of the brisket. To me, it's much more like a pot roast. Don't get me wrong, it tastes like freaking delicious pot roast, but it's just not what I want when I get brisket at a BBQ joint. Other than that, this place is awesome. I love their mac and cheese (ugh...some of the best homemade mac I've ever had, these people are not kidding around), their ribs and their sauce, their hush puppies and their potato salad. Just great Southern comfort food from what I believe is a scratch kitchen (don't hold me to it, but it certainly seems that way). I always get take-out so I'm not bothered by the decor. It's also always less than $10. I'm sure someone has posted a pic of it. It's definitely not a pretty place. But you can see clear into the kitchen and it's always clean, and that's what's really important! That being said, this place is not impressive in person, but anyone who eats here and doesn't want to come back does not have taste buds. It sort of looks like a Wendy's with people's names written all over the walls in marker. There's a counter where you order your food from a steam table (this place is so busy there are no worries it's not fresh) and by some point, when they sell out of something they don't have it again (even ribs or types of meat, not surprising since they have to smoke it). They box it as you order and you pay a cashier. You're in and out in about 5 minutes if it's super-slow, but if you come during dinnertime, expect to be waiting about 45 minutes. Maybe more. Probably the same at lunch, I haven't been. I did hear that you can order ahead, and it even seemed appreciated by the staff Make sure to grab some sauce from the center island thing on the way out the door if you want more than comes on your ribs or whatever. The brisket comes with it's gravy, and no BBQ, so definitely grab some if you want it on that! Also, not all of the sides are available all the time, but sometimes you can't see sides that they do have, so you should always ask.
(5)
Jon B.
I travel the whole US and have had BBQ everywhere. Trust me on this one - you need to try this place. I have never had brisket this tender and I have eaten a lot over the years. The Brunswick stew is awesome and the pulled pork is off the charts. To top it of, the owners are so thankful that you have stopped and tried their BBQ and that of itself is enough to come back again.
(5)
David S.
Ahh... Backyard BBQ, how I love this place... I have been here a couple of times and it never disappoints. The outside and inside look like a complete sh*t hole but they have some of the best BBQ you will ever have. I have had the BBQ (shredded pork) and brisket along with Mac and cheese, potatoes and hush puppies. I'm not one for sweet tea, but others that I go with always order it and get refills. There is one gentleman that works there that gets very upset if you are indecisive when ordering so decide what you want and don't change. When it comes down to it, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Firstname L.
Oh snap. I'm not from here so I don't have a right to judge what is and what isn't legit BBQ but everything tells me this is legit BBQ. I am in the Raleigh/Durham area for work and I was sitting in the hotel bar with coworkers when we asked the bartender where to go for BBQ. She siaid "there's this hole in the wall called Backyard BBQ Pit. It looks like a dive. It IS a dive. But it tastes like yo momma cookin for you" So of course we had to go. Everyone else's description was right on. It's a little dingy, and people have written all over the walls, and things are sticky that shouldn't be sticky. But the BBQ is really good. They were out of brisket when I was there, so I got the pulled pork. It comes with 2 sides (I picked mac-n-cheese and sweet potatoes) and he stuck a couple of the hush puppies on top. Those were really good as everyone has stated. They were not like normal hush puppies which are cornmeal balls. These were bread dough, like tiny donuts. The pork was great, with a slightly spicy (I saw red pepper flakes) twang. No gross fatty pieces or knuckly hard bits like you get in other places. Mac n cheese was super cheesy. Sweet potatoes were like nothing I have ever had (though I grew up in NY so my mother didn't do southern style cooking). Definitely stop here if you are in the area (though you're gonna blow your diet). I am surprised they haven't been on "Diners Drive-ins and Dives"...
(4)
John D.
You won't find more succulent or flavorful BBQ in the triangle, maybe even the state. It tastes fantastic, juicy, and savory. I'd say the only runner up is Smokey's on 54. The sides are classic and the Mac'n'chesse is some of my favorite. The only problem: Grease and sanitation. I'm no stranger to hole-in-the-wall joints or greasy food, but it's getting a bit much. I don't care how "authentic" or "homemade" your food is, if your restaurant isn't clean I'm not going to eat there. Everything is covered in a thin layer of grease.. not to mention the communal BBQ squirt bottles in the middle of the place are probably carrying more germs than a high school bathroom. The grease is a downer too. The sides and the BBQ need to be properly strained or toned down a bit or you start to lose the taste. Not to mention it makes you a bit sick to the stomach. The food would be soooo much better by just tweaking it a bit in this area. I'll go once and awhile, or take a friend for the experience, but I won't be a regular, unfortunately.
(3)
RK W.
A-may-zing bbq! We had to get a taste of authentic BBQ before we left NC and found this spot on Yelp. Food was quick and damned good. I had a combo plate with the pulled pork and chicken breast with greens and mac & cheese. I love hush puppies so requested a side of those but was told they come with the plate. Everything was incredibly good! Definitely not a healthy meal but hey, if you didn't know that coming in the door, you may have other problems...
(5)
Roora H.
This is one of those "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants that you HAVE to try!!! Every time that I go, it is always very good. I always get the pulled pork plate with 2 sides. For your sides, make sure one of them is the Mac & Cheese. Even if you don't like Mac & Cheese, you have to try it. It will be the best Mac & Cheese you've ever have. Also, the hush puppies that come with your plate are the BEST hush puppies!! They are lightly fired and slightly sweet and SUPER tasty. I definitely recommend this place. It was even featured on The Travel Channel (Man vs Food).
(5)
Corporal A.
On a business trip and the locals pointed me here for local bbq. For those who love hole in a wall type of restaurants, this is as close to perfect as it gets. It is basically like a small shack built on the side of a street with gravel parking space. Food is very inexpensive. All basic platters (food with sides) are under $10. The workers are friendly. The guy knew I was a tourist who doesn't know much about southern cooking and gave me samples of their sides to help me decide what I want to go along with my bbq ribs. The bbq ribs have the right amount of sauce and tenderness. I have also tried the nearby upscale "The Pit." If you are on the budget, this place will give you the local bbq taste that gives The Pit a run for its money- rib wise, without spending more than $12. I am not into pulled pork so I never tried any from those two. If you know Five Guys Burger, this is the Five Guys of bbq ribs here in the Durham area. What I mean by that is, the food here are for real bbq eaters and not for casual bbq eaters or dieters. Ladies and Gents, you will gain weight here, they are sooooo good and cheap. Of course, as a hole in a wall, don't expect great ambiance. They have basic fast food seats (tight and connected to tables) and flies galore. Today, there were so many flies flying around the room. Didn't bother me. It is summer here in NC and it is not an upscale Ribs shack. A true hole in a wall find.
(5)
Lars F.
I believe I agree with what everyone wrote recently. I was in the area last year and at 7:00 PM there were closed because they ran out of food. This time we got there early, 6:00 PM and they had everything with the exception of collard greens. They would be ready in 15 minutes. Anyway, YELP was spot on. My wife ordered the pulled pork with two sides for $4.99. What a deal. I ordered the pulled pork with ribs and two sides. Too much food for me, but I wanted leftovers for later. Most certainly a dive, and I was thinking of four stars. The friendly staff made it five stars. They are just too nice.
(5)
Eddie S.
Most authentic eastern north carolina style BBQ you can get around Raleigh that is priced correctly. Amazing pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken. Collards and fried cabbage are outstanding. Let your hair down and ask for a mix of half and half. I recommend getting the pork BBQ plate with a mix of collards/cabbage and the Brunswick stew or the cheese with mac. BBQ sandwich plate (aka Working Man Special) is great as well especially for the price. Perfect hole in the wall atmosphere for a BBQ joint. Friendly staff that will let you sample anything you are curious about. Very reasonable price for the product being served. People like to rep the The Pitt in downtown Raleigh but you're paying for the contemporary environment they've created and not the food. I don't need fancy seating and an expensive wine list when i go eat BBQ. It's about the soul food and staying true to the cooking methods. A plate of delicious vinegar based BBQ should not cost $20. Go eat at Backyard BBQ Pit and sign the wall.
(4)
Becky P.
Never would have stumbled upon this place on my own. I don't live in the area, so my son, who refuses to eat at chain restaurants, turned us on to this place. For a little more than the price of a ho-hum fast food combo, you can have REAL vinegar-based NC barbecue, home style sides that taste like grandma made 'em, and some wonderful southern sweet tea. And, yes, you must have sweet tea with barbecue! The dining room is not pretty, to say the least, but it proves a loyal patronage to this establishment. Walls are covered in signatures and comments of their customers and friends. One piece of customer "wall art" near our table said, "Backyard BBQ Pit put the "B" in barbecue!" I would not disagree. The barbecue definitely has an authentic smoked flavor. No fake liquid smoke here. The mac and cheese was over the top. Don't expect it to be friendly to your waist--you will find a puddle of butter underneath it as you're eating! One of the customers ahead of us asked the man serving up the sides to get him some of the "crunchy mac and cheese from the corners of the pan" to put on his plate. The server obliged him with a big smile! One thing I judge a bbq restaurant by is their cole slaw. Most restaurants fail on this one, as they seem to concentrate almost solely on the bbq. Backyard has probably the best cole slaw I've had in any restaurant. Not just chopped up cabbage stalk, lacking in color and flavor, but rather a flavorful and eye-appealing blend that perfectly complements the main courses. You like crispy fried okra, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and beautifully golden browned hush puppies? They've got it covered! And you can tell they didn't just open a can and dump it into a serving bin. They worked over this food! True SOUL food! Everything about this place is just real! Great food at reasonable prices, service with a smile, and a guarantee you'll want to come back and bring friends. My son, who is an attorney in the Durham area, loves to seek out this sort of place and says Durham is where it's at when it comes to great food. He nailed it on this one!
(5)
Craig B.
Incredible BBQ. With 148 reviews and 4 starts, there is very little I have to add. Always get the working man's special, with slaw. My sides are the sweet potatoes and mac & cheese. I have thought about having something else, but when we go once a week, the special is all I can think of. Also, at $4.99, it might be the best deal in town. Parking can be tricky, and making a left back onto 55 is tough. Be careful when you turn in, the driveway is big enough for 1.5 cars.
(5)
Shannon P.
I visited this restaurant for the second time every today. The customer service here is top notch! They really work hard to make sure their customers feel comfortable and welcome. I recommend the "Working Man's Special", which only costs $4.99 for a pork sandwich is two sides. Yes, you get all of that food for that LOW price! I didn't like the macaroni and cheese, as I felt it lacked flavor. It was unnecessarily loaded with cheese, but the other items I've tried are delicious (ribs, pork sandwich, beans, string beans). I highly recommend visiting this place at least once. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Chip M.
My wife and I have made a significant effort to find hole-in-the-wall eateries. Our simple equation goes as follows: sketchy building/area + uncertain cleanliness = awesome food experience. I know some may disagree, but we have rarely been disappointed! Backyard BBQ pit is perhaps one of the finest examples. First off, the staff is top-rate. They are fun, interesting and aren't afraid to tell it how they see it. I'm pretty sure they place all their confidence in their food to keep customers coming back, and well, they've got us hooked. They offer the standard BBQ joint fare, pulled pork, BBQ ribs, brisket, fried fish and all the fixings one would expect from a southern establishment. We typically go for the pulled pork as it is among the best we have had (wife is from Eastern NC, so she prides herself as quite the expert). It's so good in fact, that if you happen to stop by much past 6pm, it's likely they won't have any left. The first time this happened left us both brokenhearted but oddly satisfied that we indeed made the right decision to patron this locale. A good sign we weren't the only ones who were in on the secret. The sides are excellent as well. Hush puppies are well cooked, crispy on the outside and moist/chewy on the inside. Greens complement the pork beautifully, slaw is the finely chopped style fit for a pulled pork sammie and the okra and mac n cheese are near perfection. The yams are not to my liking, a little too syrupy/sweet for my taste, but to each his own I suppose. Lastly the atmosphere is great. It's located in a rather rundown building, potholed parking lot (which does get quite muddy when it rains), sticky floors, old cafeteria style seating and possibly a light film of something on everything. While that may SOUND less than appealing, I assure you it MAKES the experience. This is the real deal. The focus is on the food, the rest is periphery; you know it after the first bite.
(4)
Jesse P.
Worst idea ever. They didn't have BBQ pork or chicken or brisket or fried chicken. It was Saturday January 31 2014 at 645pm. The staff were really ghetto and rude. Atmosphere was dirty and trashy. There are a lot of other dinning options in the area for the same prices. Don't eat here unless you want frozen fish or a disease.
(1)
Rick Y.
Great Pork, love smelling the smoke in parking lot. Working Mans Special: Pork Sandwich, 2 sides $5.
(5)
Joe P.
Not terrible but I can tell the pork wasn't smoked there and the veggies came from cans or boxes. Again, I can't call it awful and prices are fantastic. Won't call it the best I've ever had or the worst. It will get you by when hungry.
(3)
Mike W.
The BBQ (both the pork and the turkey) are great. The hushpuppies are one of the best I have tasted. The sweet tea is good too, if you like sweet tea. The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star review is the slaw. The slaw is too finely chopped for my taste and the texture just isn't right when you eat it alone. On top of a bbq sandwich it is ok, but to eat by itself it is mushy.
(4)
Avia D.
Value and taste is amazing, very home-cooked. The atmosphere could be better but I'm there for the food
(5)
Karen K.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. I wish they had one of these in NorCal. I go back every time I am in the area. I get the ribs plate with collard greens and mac&cheese or yams. Freaking wonderful.
(5)
Muj A.
Beef Brisket is out of this world. Haven't been to a lot of authentic bbq places so I'm no expert, but I thought this place was incredible.
(5)
Ashley D.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? I will preface this with I LOVE BBQ. I'm a Southern girl and a bbq snob. I like my bbq eastern style with vinegar and spice. Backyard fits the bill. Then you add in the best Mac-n-cheese in the world and pineapple lemonade and I fall hard. The place has character with writing all over the walls and fly paper to greet you. So don't expect a 5 star decor but do expect some amazing food!
(4)
Nothing But The Truth T.
Awesome people, Good food. Saw them on Man vs Food went down to Durham and it was worth it. I will go back. Wrote my name on the wall. Very cool spot.
(4)
Josh T.
Not much to say here that hasn't already been said. I found their ribs to be transcendent and the mac & cheese to die for. The place is a hole in the wall but is owned by a Brother Mason who proudly displays a square & compass on the menu board.
(5)
John S.
A fun experience and quite different from the other joints in town. Excellent sides, particularly the mac and hushpuppies, and love the brisket. Worth the trip.
(5)
Luke D.
Unbelievable prices for the quality and amount of food that you get. Definitely a place to go if you're looking for a fun, casual night with some delicious BBQ.
(5)
Spence B.
I came to Backyard BBQ on my trip to NC, and i had to write it up. This place is top notch, the food, the service, the price. We drove 45 minutes to get there but I'm glad we did. The atmosphere seems kinda shabby, but everything else made up for it. Actually I kinda liked the look of the place anyway, the walls were all written on and tagged up from everyone who has been there over the years. Obviously I avoided the swine cuz I'm not into that sorta thing, but the chicken was the truth. If your in the Durham or Greesboro area, hit this place up.
(5)
Dave L.
Wow I need a nap after Backyard BBQ. This is often the case when my lunch consists of the brown and yellow food groups. But every time I visit Backyard BBQ I find it impossible to pass up the mac-n-cheese, black-eyed peas and the hush puppies. There are other choices for sides that look a little healthier like greens with pork fat or green beans with bacon - I try to go all out with yellow or brown foods though. The BBQ - fantastic. Pulled pork is great, love the taste, texture and style of the brisket, and the fried chicken is nearly as good as my Mother-in-laws. The only thing that would make this place better is a couple of lazy boy recliners in the back with a large screen TV so I could proceed directly into a food coma after lunch as opposed to struggling to drive my car back to the office.
(5)
Donny A.
Not just the best BBQ restaurant I've ever been to... Not just the best restaurant I've ever been to in NC... But it's THE best restaurant I've ever been to in my 29 years walking this earth. You'll pass an ABC store if you're coming from Cary on 55. If you're coming from Durham, you'll pass Golden Corral. Trust me. Do not stop at either. You'll be both as full as a tick, and drunk off of food when you leave Backyard. You'll sit in your car after the meal and think of who you're going to call first to tell them about what had just happened - it's like winning the food lotto every meal, and well worth the price of the ticket. Sign your name to the wall. Let Big Paulie and his family know how much they're appreciated by not just the local folks, but from people all over the country who go out of their way to make the visit. He treated my family as if we were their family. I've never experienced service like that. Accompanied with the food that I simply can't describe... other than to say that I've never eaten anything there that I don't follow up with "is the best I've ever had." Seriously. Try it. Mac and Cheese? Best I've ever had. Ribs? Best I've ever had. Brisket? Best I've ever had. NC BBQ? Best I've ever had. I could go on. You get the picture. Now get in your car and get down there. If they're closed, make note of the hours, and get there early - if they run out of a menu item, they don't make anymore of it for that day. Go as many times as you can. Try everything on their menu. I promise you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Brad G.
It's greasy, cheap, quick, and delicious - how can you go wrong? Over the past few years, Backyard has had quite a few names: Lewis, AW's, and another one that I can't remember offhand. Of all its iterations, though, Backyard seems to be the most popular. Serving up Southern-fried favorites from those familiar silver warming trays, it has carved out a niche and rooted itself firmly in the RTP lunch scene. Techheads and paper-pushers who aren't in the mood for fast-food or international fare pour into this down-home eatery to fill their stomachs with some of NC's finest bbq and fixins'. The center "island" of the restaurant always has a handful of bottles with different bbq sauces, but none is ever labeled. One is a bit hotter than the others (it's the thinner, more vinegar-y looking one), but I've tried them all and they all complement the pork very well. As for the sides, you'll want to get an extra side order of hushpuppies - Backyard's are the kind of perfection you'd expect from an out-of-the way spot in Eastern NC. Being a Down East native myself, Backyard serves as a little taste of home that's right on my way home from work.
(4)
Laura P.
Delicious! The ambiance leaves, um, something to be desired, but the food more than makes up for it. The Brunswick Stew was out of this freaking world, and the mac & cheese was incredible. They didn't have brisket when I was there, but I'm going back to get some, that's for darn sure.
(4)
Matt B.
OK...so I know I'm a yankee, so I my opinion might be slightly enamored, but this place is amazing. I got the pulled pork sandwich with some slaw and the thick bqq sauce. Sweet meat with just enough vinegar zing. Moist on a potato roll...I could have had three. I got a side of the mac and cheese and some hush puppies. My bro-in-law got some fried okra as well. The mac and cheese was a little oily from all of the cheddar, but the hush puppies are the best I've ever had. Light on atmosphere but big on taste. The folks behind the counter were friendly and helpful, and the food was divine. Oh, and try the sweet tea - amazing. I know when I get back home, this will be one of the things that
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I love this place! I love the mac and cheese and greens and the people are very friendly.
(5)
Danny B.
I fell in LOVE with this place when I first first discovered it. We've had some bumps along the way (including rude staff and staff members being obviously inebriated/high when serving the food and spilling mac and cheese all over the place), but what can I say? The food tastes better than my Grandmother's. I didn't think that was possible. Their BBQ is cooked to the T. Not sure where you will find better. If you like southern food, you have to come to this place.
(4)
Randall R.
The best bbq anywhere. The pulled pork is perfect, the ribs are fantastic, the sides are better than anything anywhere else. The staff is very friendly. The prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is perfect for an NC BBQ place. The Eastern style sauce is perfect. They offer heavier sauces as well, which I am willing to tolerate, but its sad to watch someone destroy such a perfect meal. :) The only possible drawback I can think of - hours of operation. They close Saturdays at 6 PM, which has kept me from going several times. But if they were open for one hour from 3 AM - 4 AM on Tuesday, I would still find a way to make it there now and then. Now I think I'm going to have to go there today.
(5)
Dean B.
A buddy and I stopped in at almost 2PM and the parking lot was still packed. This was a good sign. The enormous smoker behind the restaurant was another good sign. The counter staff were very efficient at clearing the line of 10 people in front of me, but have a friend snag a table while one orders or you could be walking around looking for a place to sit down. Folks take their time eating here (not a bad thing). We both decided on the BBQ plate, which is pulled pork and choice of sides. For my buddy, he had collard greens an potato salad. I had potato salad and green beans. The pulled pork has a VERY assertive smoke flavor that can be mistaken initially for saltiness. The potato salad and green beans were what you'd expect in a cafeteria line. Be prepared to sweat in the summer. The heat index outside was 99, and it was only a few degrees cooler inside. This is a little hike from Morrisville or Cary, so I think I'll stick with Danny's when I'm in town. Disclosure: I am a Texan, so my idea of BBQ is from a little different perspective.
(3)
Christina G.
Tough call. The folks working here are the :epitome: of Southern hospitality -- sweet, smiley, serving up heaps of soul food! My husband even got a complimentary pineapple lemonade (which was yum and had chunks of pineapple in it!) because the lady in charge thought it was a shame to order just water when you're treating yourself out! And a treat it was, at just $6 a plate. That's a bargain for as much homecooked food as you get. The inside kind of reminded me of the old Rathskeller -- a little dingy and lots of interesting graffiti; I like places with a little character to them! But now we get down to the real nitty-gritty -- the 'cue that is. Now ya'll know I'm no expert. But with the BBQ Joint and Q Shack in my Rolodex of reviews, I do have some experience to weigh in. And I've got to say I found this to be a little lacking. Not a ton of vinegar flavor and no spicy kick at all. I also didn't like how they only have one communal set of sauces, rather than a group on each table. For my sides, I went with mac n' cheese and white potatoes. The potatoes had an applesauce like texture with some potato lumps mixed in. Not my fave. And the mac n' cheese -- well, it was so heavy on the cheddar, it reminded me of when I was a freshman in college and tried to make broccoli and cheese -- and the melted cheddar just hardened and crusted on top (rather than being all smooth and velveta-y). The saving grace? The HUSH PUPPIES. I could make a meal off of 'em. And maybe next time I will!
(3)
Casey L.
Backyard BBQ Pit is exactly what a North Carolina BBQ restaurant should be. Old-school mounted booths and tables with customer graffiti written all over the walls (most of it praising the BBQ). Their excellent ribs, BBQ, chicken, and sides are served cafeteria style by very friendly folks. My favorite is the "working man's special," a BBQ sandwich with two sides for only $4.99! I usually go with mac and cheese and fried okra. The young woman that regularly plays live country music is a nice addition to the restaurant's ambiance.
(4)
Jonathan C.
Good food, affordable prices. I had the pulled pork which was spiced perfectly. The only issue is the smell of bbq stays with you the rest of the day, but it is definitely worth it! My coworker decided to get the ribs which he assured me were delicious. The side portions of hush puppies (in ball form) and mac and cheese set the whole meal off for me. If you are looking for a great BBQ spot when you're in Durham, this is a nice stop.
(4)
Pamela S.
We had landed in at Raleigh-Durham a short while before and desperately needed fortification. We drove straight here after picking up our rental car (and being thrown off for a bit by a couple fruitless Google Map searches). It was hot -- the loud fan didn't do much -- but tolerable. The barbecue was ready immediately (I got the sandwich lunch) but the fish was about a 10-minute wait. My sandwich was delicious, the pork was super tender, and it was topped with coleslaw. I had the mac and cheese and collard greens as my two sides, at their suggestion. I liked the mac and cheese, but I think I'm just not that into collard greens in general. My friend's serving of fried catfish -- two huge fillets -- looked delicious and perfectly cooked, and also came with two sides. It's casual, simple, tasty, and quick.
(4)
Jonathan K.
On the surface, this seems like just the type of hole-in-the-wall place to get some good grub at a reasonable price. However, I can't say that was my experience. The food was decent but this being the South, I expected better BBQ. The pulled pork I had was heavily salted -- way more than what I'd expect and the sides were not exactly inviting. I wouldn't really recommend it as a stable lunch place.
(2)
Matt L.
All I can say is wow. The smothered white meat chicken was just so moist, the hush puppies light and fluffy, the collards perfectly acidic. And the mac and cheese. Oh the mac and cheese. Could have used a touch more salt but this is an old school super cheesy, absolutely perfect mac and cheese. Yes, decor resembles my high school cafeteria, and yes, an 8 pm close is hardly acceptable to this yankee, but my oh my. I'd go back for fourthmeal, but it's after 8. C'est la vie -- there's always tomorrow.
(5)
Oliver C.
I asked the reception at my hotel where's good BBQ, and he told me this place... and he said that "people seem to like it." I just had the ribs (two giant ones) and chicken (maybe a third of a chicken) combo plate, with two sides (mac n cheese and green beans) and now I'm way full. It didn't look like that much in the serving trays... but looked much bigger on the plate. The place is a hole in the wall, and that's kind of being polite. If it didn't smell so good outside, I would have never walked inside, but you have to give it a go... Made it there 15 minutes before they closed at 8pm, and they were locking the door 5 minutes after I arrived... Must be southern punctuality.. and glad I was rushing for once... But anyways, for $13, the combo plate was gut busting filling and fall off the bone, moist and delicious. Came with 3 hush puppies, and they were soooo good. The mac and cheese, somehow stays kind of moist despite sitting in a big ol' tray over steaming water. And the string beans must be for people with no teeth. Maybe just not my cup of tea. I could have done without the sides and just had more hush puppy goodness.
(4)
Tyler B.
Incredible. Was in from out of town and stopped in for lunch. The staff was extremely friendly and the food was amazing. It was easily the best pulled pork I've ever had. The flavors were subtle and traditional (vinegar) with no heavy sauce to overwhelm. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Bernard C.
Aloha! Never been to NC before and if this is considered good BBQ. I can understand why. The basket was unreal. Mmmmmm. Definitely "Ono kind grinds" Only one thing they need, rice.
(5)
K L.
Tender, flavorful, and delicious ribs! The meat falls right off of the bone and it comes with good sides. I got the sweet potato and mac & cheese. Mac & cheese was very greasy and was OK. The sweet potato was awesome and it melts in your mouth. I added the chili vinegar sauce and BBQ sauce to the meal and it made the meal even better. The BBQ sandwich is just OK in my opinion. The meat is chopped up and in my opinion, the meat is chopped up too fine. I think I prefer pulled BBQ meats. The restaurant itself is a no frills type of place. Just your basic necessities; basic tables and seating. Feel free to leave your mark by autographing their wall. A memorable dining experience for me.
(5)
Bucky T.
When I see all of these great reviews of this place, I have to scratch my head and wonder what the hell is everybody drinking? This place is just not very good. The fact that everyone rates it so high supports my opinion that there is not any really good BBQ in this area. If those of you who like this so much were to ever go to a pig-pickin' done by somebody who knows what they're doing, you will quickly change your tune. I go here from time to time because it is only a couple of miles from my house, but my last visit may have been my last. There were too damn many flies in the place. The lady who owns the place was back by the kitchen door with a flyswatter just whacking away the entire time I was there. It was nauseating. I stopped eating and left. A year or so ago, they were better than they are today. Today, their BBQ is way way way over-sauced. There is so much sauce in their BBQ that it puddles in the plate. You cannot taste the meat, which they actually cook over wood out back. They ruin what would be good, smokey pork with so much sauce that it makes your mouth pucker! Their side dishes are good, but used to be better. I used to never eat collard greens until I tried them here and loved them. Now all they serve are collard stems. It's a shame to any Southerner. They do serve and adequate Brunswick Stew. I quit eating their BBQ for reasons stated above and started ordering their fish. Their fish selection is good - many varieties such as Trout, Croaker, Catfish and Flounder. It's pretty good fish albeit on the greasy side. The grease will drip onto the Styrofoam plate. If you can tolerate seeing the greasy plate, then by all means, dig in! Skip the tartar sauce - you will regret eating it. I got sick on it. I guess that it had gone over on them. In my opinion, the ribs are over cooked. Once the cook them, they sit them in a pan on the steam table swimming in sauce, which only serves to wear out the fresh flavor. What they should do is cook their ribs dry (no sauce) and then grill them when ordered and offer them wet or dry to the customer. The folks that own and operate this place are probably the friendliest restauranteurs that I have ever encountered. They obviously enjoy their business. It is always a pleasure to see them. I just wish that they had better BBQ. It's just too saucy for me to eat any more. And the flies...... DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FLIES !!!!
(2)
Jonathan V.
I would rate the BBQ 3 stars. But the side items I would rate as 5 stars. The potato salad was the best I have ever had. The slaw, yams, green beans and macaroni and cheese were excellent. The young guy that made my plate recommended the fish. If I ever go back, I'll try that.
(4)
Gina S.
Amazing!!!!! So good you'll lick your plate clean!
(5)
Mark S.
Backyard bbq pit is def. a place to check out. It's a solid mom and pop joint. One doesn't come here for the ambience. Instead come and try their pork bbq, chicken, and fish entrees... all above average. You can't leave without trying their mac & cheese...Hands down the Best Mac & Cheese EVERRRRRRRRR!!!
(4)
Phil G.
I'm on a BBQ kick so I was looking forward to trying Backyard BBQ Pit. This place had that sincere southern feel that you just can't recreate unless you're in the South. The indoor is a little odd but that's part of what makes this place unique. There's handwritten messages and artwork over every inch of the walls. Next time I am bringing a Sharpie. The space is relatively small and the ceilings are low. This isn't really a problem because I don't think you'd come here for the ambiance. I ordered the BBQ plate with side of collards and potato salad. The BBQ was just the way I like it. My wife was not a fan though. This is not her review so I'll ask the jury to disregard that information (seriously, forget that you ever heard that). The BBQ was NC-style with plenty of vinegar. Collards are not something I normally I have but they too were awesome. The potato salad was typical. Each plate also gets a few hush puppies which are nice and fluffy. I tasted the mac and cheese but I would advise you to stay away from these. They use just cheddar cheese which hardens over the pasta that looks like a heart attack. They need to use a creamier cheese. The nice lady putting food on the plates suggested I try some of her pineapple lemonade. Not one to be up-sold, she forcefully poured me a cup. Amidst the confusion, I didn't even realize I was getting it for free and 'til this day have not had a chance to thank her. So, thank you nice lady for the free lemonade :)
(4)
Michael F.
If I were rating just the BBQ pork, it'd be 5 stars. I'm not a *huge* fan of the sides (pretty greasy, but I suppose that's standard for BBQ), so I figured I'd go with 4 stars. But their BBQ on a bun with the coleslaw is amazing and anyone who says otherwise is nuts!
(4)
Tom D.
I have eaten BBQ all over this country, and I have to say the pulled pork at this place is probably the best I have had. The mac and cheese was great too, collard greens very good. Nice staff too. The place is nothing to look at but you aren't paying for the view. I visit RTP regularly for work and I am so happy I found this place because there isn't much in the RTP area. Oh the chicken was very good too. I did not try ribs or brisket as I didn't think that was the specialty here. The best ribs in the country are at Pappy's in St. Louis and the best burnt ends are at Big T's in Kansas City.
(5)
Jim N.
Went back for a late lunch after being out of town for 4-mo and my wife and I both got the BBQ chicken. Sides were fantastic....as always....but the BBQ Chicken was the best I've EVER had....wow....I always thought Spring Creek BBQ in Dallas had the best BBQ chicken I'd had....but this from Backyard is amazing, and makes every other place seem second rate! If you live within an hour of this place, drive and try it right away. You can develop seriously addictive cravings for this stuff.....my wife thought I was nuts until she tried the chicken and she doesn't want to go anywhere else now!
(5)
Michael E.
Whatever you do make sure you use the entrance off of 54 directly in front of Backyard BBQ. I tried to be slick and pull in the business before only to be met with a grass berm. Needless to say I had visions of the Dukes of Hazard run through my head before I realized I was driving Brit's car and she probably would not appreciate the undercarriage damage from my cavorting. So on with the show. I met a buddy out here for lunch. The line was long but moving relatively quick. This place is not your sparkling, modern dining room in a newer establishment. There's some age there. You can almost hear the brick facade sigh from age and weight. The staff here is welcoming and courteous. I ordered their Pork BBQ, with brunswick stew and the greens. The BBQ was melt in your mouth good. Tangy, tart and very moist. I wish I'd have had some crispy bits to add some texture to the butteriness of the pork. The greens were sweet and bitter, with the saltiness added from the vinegar and bacon. The brunswick stew was filling and hearty. Three sweet corn hushpuppies come with the meal and were almost like dessert - crispy doughy balls of fluffy goodness. The pineapple lemonade with free refills is where it's at. A cool refreshing drink, that had I not been heading back to work would've definitely had an addition from the ABC store next door. Good food, good people, I'll be back. The live music in the restaurant by one of the relatives of the owners was a nice change to the hustle and bustle of the establishment.
(4)
Dwayne H.
Ummmmm.....you better know what you want before you get up to the front. There was a long line and people were indecisive about what they wanted. So there was a HUGE announcement made to pick your meats here and get your sides here and then pay. And it wasn't in the friendliest tone, not rude but not motherly either. My dad got a catfish dinner with cabbage and mac n cheese, I got bbq plate with mac n cheese and fried okra. The meat was excellent the mac n cheese is a once a year type of eat with maybe a cup of cheese per noodle but it was good. The hush puppies and fried okra were ok. My dad really liked his food. I would eat here again! By the way, parking is TIGHT and the lines can be long, worth it all for the bbq though! I got a fresh batch of okra that wasn't ready with my plate so as I was fixing my condiments they kept yelling fried okra, didn't know they were talking to me but yep, so if your side is not ready to put in the box listen for it when you sit down. The cashier was very friendly. If you go and it is raining outside be careful walking into the bathroom because it is super slick.
(3)
Corey S.
This is a great BBQ dive joint. They have the best pulled pork I've eaten. Being from Texas, I like smoked brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage better, but this is the first place I really liked the local BBQ tradition. They smoke the meat low and slow the way you are supposed to. Just start with the pulled pork sandwich, it is one of the best food deals around. Unbelievable value. The smoked brisket is not quite up to snuff but I have very, very high standards (only select Texas restaurants make it right), but it is tender - make sure to add some sauce or salt and pepper.
(5)
stacy W.
It's BBQ :P (that's me licking my lips) It's Delicious :} PINEAPPLE LEMONADE. :') (that's me crying with joy) I live down the street from these guys so I can't speak to the dine-in experience. The first time I ventured in here was months after I moved down here. A friend of mine from back home basically screamed at me for not trying this place out. SO - i had to go :) I was in one of those annoying indecisive moods that evening. Yeah - you know the person that just stands there staring and asking every possible question about what it tastes like - that's me. The girls behind the counter were delighted to make my try everything.... EVERYTHING. I was actually a little stuffed from the testing. Don't worry I brought home some chicks and mac and cheese and hush puppies anyway! I'm not a big giver of 5 stars but this is my 5 star local bbq place. it's perfect for me. a little dive-y, they're fast and even though NC style bbq isn't my first choice - they do it RIGHT. I think most of all the service, the people in here are absolutely wonderful. and they make this world a better place by distributing something called pineapple lemonade. a tall icy glass of this stuff, and a plate of bbq goodness from backyard IN my own backyard is the definition of a perfect summer weeknight at home.
(5)
Tri T.
If you're looking for down home soul food, Backyard BBQ is the right place. The food is amazing and the only thing that's missing is fried chicken. Come get your ribs, pulled pork, fried fish, bbq chicken, and all the fixens. I was so excited when I came across this and will gladly come back any day of the week. The decor leaves much to be desired but you can tell it's a family establishment and a neighborhood friendly type of environment. I witnessed the daughter singing as she played her guitar to a group of family friends. Everyone stood up and clapped. Really talented and a pleasant surprise.
(5)
Donald B.
Staff was very friendly and the BBQ was good. A great authentic place for Carolina BBQ. Do note that this place closes early at 8PM and they do run out of certain items as it gets close to closing time. BTW: this place is right next to the state controlled ABC (liquor) store.
(5)
Ryan M.
I saw Backyard BBQ Pit on Man v. Food and knew I'd soon be making a visit. Always a fan of barbecue even before moving to the "Pork Capital of the United States" ... I was ready to go and it's location close to my office sealed the deal....I'd be making a trip as soon as possible. As soon as possible became Wednesday's lunch as a two colleagues and myself headed out. It was an early lunch, so we walked into a sparsely filled place. The owner greeted us warmly upon entry ... and engaged us in some good natured ribbing about being Northerners. My anticipation grew as I studied the menu and absorbed the clean but no frills environment where the food is the obvious focus. I ordered the barbecue (known as chopped/pulled pork in my former life as a northerner) and chose brunswick stew and fried okra as my two sides. The barbecue was excellent, perfectly balanced and really melted in your mouth. The fried okra is done per order, cut, battered and fried right then. This was definitely a welcome surprise as I was not expecting this. The brunswick stew was very good.. and the hushpuppies were extremely light and fluffy. The only thing even remotely negative I could come up with if absolutely forced to do so, despite their wonderful texture, the hushpuppies were a tad bland in taste.. but this was easily overcome by drowning them in hot sauce! Overall, I absolutely love this place and it was the inspiration for me to start writing reviews.
(5)
Matt M.
I have hit most of the players for Eastern NC style BBQ; Allen and Son, Hog Heaven, Barbecue Lodge, Original Q Shack, Bullocks and even The Pit. As far as the pork is concerned; look no further. This is the best. Tender, smokey, great texture, expertly seasoned. They also win top prize for their Collards, Mac & Cheese and Catfish. That is not a throwaway statement; it's well earned. The Mac & Cheese has a layer of real cheese; it's tender but not mushy. The catfish is crispy, hot and tender. The collards? Unbelievable. If you think you don't like greens I would challenge you with these. You will walk away a convert. Is everything here perfect? No. Their Brunswick stew is too sweet to my tastes. I don't recommend the brisket. The ribs didn't look all that appealing, and they really need a soda fountain. (drinks come in cans with a cup of ice, blech) Everything is served in foam containers, eat in or not. Service can be brusk. The atmosphere is very casual; the walls scribbled with the signatures of thousands of fans. some tables, a TV in the corner. There's a little stage in the corner for live music, but I've never been in the evening.
(4)
Andrea P.
By the looks and location of the restaurant you would NEVER KNOW that the world's BEST food was inside! The Mac & Cheese is to DIE FOR, I swear I could have licked my plate when we were finished! The first time we went was right after we moved here and my husband could smell the food and insisted we find out what was inside! So glad we did. The staff is friendly! The only problem we have found is that if you don't go early (i.e. way before 12pm) you will not be able to get inside or find parking! The "Working Man's" Special is the way to go!
(5)
Richard P.
we tried beef short rib and fried chicken. delicious. mac and cheese, greens. and creamed corn. banana pudding was good. i like mine with a few more wafers. and ashleigh provided the kind of customer service you get at 5 star restaurants.
(5)
Pebbles W.
Absolutely delicious BBQ! Exactly what BBQ should be! All you haters going on about service need to head over to The Pit if you want chi-chi atmosphere, & overpriced food! If you want the REAL DEAL...Backyard BBQ is it!
(5)
Yung B.
This place has solid BBQ, well cooked with good flavor, never dry. It isn't quite as smoky tasting as some places but it's really good. I go for a combo of their vinegar sauce and hot sauce. Slaw on the sandwich is a must. The pork plate has quite a bit more meat and comes with hushpuppies. But the sandwich plate is still plenty of food, and at 5 bucks, pretty much as cheap as it gets for lunch. Sides are almost the more interesting half of a BBQ restaurant review because they are so wildly inconsistent. Typically a place will have a max of 2 or 3 sides that are good and the rest are terrible. With Backyard the collard greens and cabbage are unbeatable, but I really can't mess with anything else. So many reviewers love the mac and cheese but to me it's pasta with a bunch of melted mild cheddar. The baked beans and brunswick stew both have promising flavor elements that are masked by way, way too much sweetness. Stick with the collards and cabbage, put hot sauce on both of them, and you will be happy.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Best BBQ in the area. Their ribs are to die for. Fall off the bone tender with tasty sauce that's so good I have them pour it on my chopped pork when I get it. Sides all taste like homemade. Last week they ran out of pork ribs but he had some beef ribs that day and he let me sample them. The meat melted in my mouth and I happily devoured my first ever plate of fall off the bone beef BBQ. I love this place. If I had to list any negative it would be that on some busy days if you don't get ribs early they'll be out of them by the time you swing by on your way home from work.
(5)
Mario O.
Good eats; great price. While no aficionado, I have eaten more than my share of BBQ. Backyard BBQ Pit stacked up against some top notch competition. In the end, I just like a good flavor and the right price ... and it was delivered. The ambiance leaves much to be desired if the name had not set the right expectation. I had the pulled pork and rib combo plate. Not that it matters as much, but my sides were good -- fried ochra and green beans. The meat was scrumdilly-icious. Without any sauce, the pulled pork was tender and flavor full. They had basically one sauce (plus some hot sauce and buffalo sauce), which was all I needed ... not too vinegary or sweet; nice. Although the ribs were a bit crispy/chewy in one spot, the rest was dang tasty. Walking away $12 lighter fits most budgets nowadays ... much lower cost for just one meat. Bon Appetite ... or whatever translates (Suey?)
(4)
Faith X.
This place is awesome! Growing up with Texas BBQ (tomato-based), I'm normally not a fan of the Carolina-style vinegar based BBQ but the BBQ pork here is AMAZING! The hush puppies are to-die-for! They're fluffy and remind me of a beignet sans sugar. The mac and cheese is oh-so-cheesy and amazingggg....I don't think I've seen cheesier goodness. :)
(5)
Brad C.
Hole in the wall for sure, but this is some great BBQ and very fair prices. I particuarly like the chopped/pulled pork with vinegar sauce. Even when a line backs up, it doesn't take long to get to your seat with food.
(5)
Barbara B.
This place is a perfect example of don't judge a book by it's cover. Backyard BBQ looks like it belong on a rural back road somewhere and the interior has a divey cafeteria feel to it. And everything here will come in plastic - plastic cups, plastic plates, and plastic silverware. But don't be fooled - the food here is amazing! Lunch is well priced and relatively cheap and all entrees come with two sides. I got the ribs with sides of mac and cheese and sweet potato and everything was fantastic. The ribs were well flavored and just falling off the bone tender. I tried my friend's pulled pork and it was equally good. I will definitely take this place over The Pit in Raleigh anytime.
(4)
Julie P.
While driving down the 5 hrs with a friend in the wee hours of the morning, I could not stop the visions of ribs and brisket from dancing in my head. So in the afternoon, when a local friend told me she'd take me to an authentic BBQ place, I couldn't help but happily agree. But as you all know, in many cases, being hyped up pre-eating can end up in a not so bomb-diggidy experience. We had the brisket plate and ribs plate... and OMG ....I do NOT over-react when I say that none of my expectations were in the least let down by the AMAZING morsels of food that entered my mouth. From the falling-off-the-bones tender ribs, melt-in-your mouth brisket, and the sweet but tangy coleslaw to the delicious crumbly hush puppies, my taste buds were overwhelmed with epicurian delights. I will be back again Backyard BBQ. Even if I have to make the 5 hr trip back! P.S. not only does this place do good food, they let you stand on the chairs and draw on the walls too! Heaven in my eyes~ ^^
(5)
Stacy H.
I love this place! Having grown up in the south I'm use to eating soul food! Missing the Chicken wednesdays and Fish Fridays from college I was super happy when I found this place! The only spot where I can find excellent fried fish! Their BBQ is always on point as well as their numerous sides especially the Mac and cheese and okra! The staff are always super friendly especially if your a female! Just to note this is an African American restaurant but I'm always surprised to see it so diverse, I guess everybody loves good food. By the way......it's a total hole in the wall, just order your food, eat and enjoy dont worry about the decor lol. You can also sign the wall which my dad did last year when we stopped in!
(5)
Sho S.
This place has good food, but very poor customer service and bad practices. As a server you should not drink beverages between serving food. Also you should not alternate between handling money and serving food without washing your hands! Today will be the last time I eat here.
(1)
Michael C.
Very tasty, rib-sticking BBQ. I had ribs, pulled pork and chicken. All 3 were perfectly cooked and delicious. The sides of mac-n-cheese and cabbage were also quite good. One knock: I'd recommend washing your hands BEFORE coming here as the bathrooms are so disgusting, the effort to do so here might actually add to the bacteria on your hands.
(4)
Alli J.
soooo gooood!
(5)
Kevin H.
Great authentic BBQ at dirt-cheap prices. Some concerns about the cleanliness of the place, but I guess that comes with the whole "dive" atmosphere. Worth giving a try.
(4)
P G.
This place is awesome and so accommodating. The food is excellent, the owners are super nice and their customer service goes above and beyond. I've had almost everything on the menus. Try it! One of those spots that the locals/ those who work in the RTP area know all about. You won't be sorry!
(5)
Nick T.
I've lived near Backyard BBQ Pit for some time, but could never find a good time to stop in. Finally one recent Friday night my son and I found ourselves in need of dinner with no plan. Off we went. When we arrived we were greeted by a very long line. No big deal. It's Friday night and a long line is usually a good sign. We waited about 20 minutes before we made way to the counter. This is where things began to go South. The food was scooped trays like slop into a pig trough. It was just a big mess. I can understand a little spillover, but this wasn't that. By the time we sat down we had some weird yam juice/green been juice/cheese soup on just about everything in the trays. Also, where was the slaw? A barbecue sandwich in NC without slaw? Strange. Still, it was dinner so we ate it. I can deal with a lot for good barbecue. Unfortunately, this was also a miss. I grew up in central NC and I've been to a lot of barbecue joints in my life. I'm currently about halfway through visits to all of the locations on the NC Barbecue Society's Historic Barbecue Trail. Based on those visits, I'd say this is not a good representation of an NC barbecue restaurant. Not much flavor, greasy and the smallest portion of anything on the plate. I'd normally ding the place for no AC and the overall cleanliness, but those things aren't so important to me in a barbecue restaurant. It may be worth knowing for some people, though. Two stars because they had brunswick stew on the night I visited. More barbecue joints in NC should take note of this. Otherwise, probably just one star from me. Not impressed.
(2)
Leo C.
Get the RIBS!!!
(5)
T E.
Nice little hole in the wall type restaurant. Good food, good prices. Chicken was tasty, Mac n cheese was quite delicious. Would visit again if I return to Durham.
(4)
Indy J.
Small place, great food, generous and friendly folks!
(5)
Rey V.
My wife and I went here today and we enjoyed the rib plate and the bbq plate (pulled pork). It was Delicious. It is family owned and you can tell by the workers there. All of the workers were very helpful and respectful. There are also a lot of sides to choose from.
(5)
lady b.
OMG!!! I LOVE BBQ. After seeing this place on Man vs. food I had to have some. I wasn't sure because the actual building wasn't that wonderful but that food was delicious!!! My food was only $4.99 and tasted home cooked! I will be returning in the near future... possibly tomorrow!
(5)
Andrew T.
The. Winner. My parents had visited on their last NC BBQ trip, and as the evening got late, and we found ourselves unable to visit some of the spots we had yet to try, this was our bailout option. Oh, darn. It's simple - get the chopped pork. Get whatever sides you want, but the mac and cheese has the best texture, plus their collards are awfully good. The pork comes in a huge serving for about $6.50 with those sides. It's moist, smokey, with complex flavor, easily, head and shoulders, the best pork I've had on this trip, and quite possibly ever. The sauce is delicious - but it's barely there. Just enough to bring out the flavor in the pork, not enough to drown it or overwhelm it with vinegar flavor. This passes my five star test - if you put it in your mouth, close your eyes, and go "oh my god," then it's five stars. Winnar. They're cooking over hot coals, just out back, and you can smell it when you drive up. If that doesn't make you want to eat, there's something the matter. The folks are, just like everyone else, super friendly. Checking in, making sure we were OK, and when we ordered a slice of warm lemon pound cake to try, the girl who had baked it came out to see how it was - it was her first one to sell to the customers, and she was nervous to see how we liked it. And it was pretty good, with lemon peel in the cake for a little extra flavor. For about $1.50? Sure, I'm down. Of note, we got there about 7, and they were still busy, so any concerns about this being a lunch place were quickly dispelled. Everything was still fresh, and they were still doing a brisk business. The high reviews aren't unfounded. It's simple, but it's extremely delicious. We were thinking...if we were going to be in town tomorrow...we'd go here for lunch.
(5)
Chris A.
Most of my family is from Florida or New York, and most of them have a warped idea of what Durham, North Carolina is like - they imagine I live in a town with gravel roads, drive a tractor, etc, etc, and other such stereotypes of the South. While these visions are way off base, Backyard BBQ Pit is probably the one thing in Durham that actually fits their stereotype, but in a really good way. BBQ has a sense of mysticism around it - great BBQ is as elusive as it is delicious, and everyone knows great BBQ can't be found in chains or upscale restaurants, oh no. I feel that in most people's minds, great BBQ is only found on the side of forgotten country roads, far off the beaten paths, cooked by someone in overalls with a tobacco leaf in his mouth. Well, I have great news - that forgotten country road is Hwy 55, it's not all that far off the beaten path, and it's served by some of the friendliest folks around. Best of all, the BBQ is out-of-this-world good, only rivaled by the insane goodness of the mac-n-cheese and hush puppies. Seriously, you will not find better BBQ and mac-n-cheese anywhere. For around $5, you can walk out with a BBQ sandwich, hush puppies and a side that will make you question why you ever eat anywhere else. Well, maybe because you would weigh 500lbs if you ate here everyday, but man, you would be the happiest beached whale of all time.
(5)
Charlotte Y.
The pulled pork (so tender, not fatty, and seasons juuust right). The mac and cheese. The collards. The hushpuppies. The nice folks that work here. When I'm in Durham, I go to Backyard BBQ. Second only to Cooper's.
(4)
Justin C.
Don't chop the pork to death. They get it right here. A pulled pork plate (especially a large) gets you plenty of beautiful pork bbq. Drop the pretension, get with this place. Freshly cooked food that is served right and if its gone, try and come earlier next time. Yes it looks like they had taken over a concrete bunker to serve it in, but the staff were very friendly. However... This is an African American owned business and I suppose may be intimidating to some of my caucasian friends. I was very comfortable and patrons and staff made me feel very welcome. All those caveats aside, one of the very sweet girls at the counter was having a rather loud discussion with a patron about some man who was rather good at providing a pleasure that he may have read about in the latest Cosmo. OK maybe not, but you get my drift. From behind the counter to the dining area about, "what's wrong with you not liking the tongue?!" etc etc. Not super obscene mind you but as discrete as a porno on mute perhaps. Anyway, I was wincing a bit as I had come to nosh with my 13 yo son. It seemed to go over his head as we enjoyed our dinner plates which were actually styrofoam take out boxes. As much as the convo was trying to be said with a very thick vernacular, for lack of a better term, being a native Memphian I can understand jive, just not speak it. Don't even try it. Back to the food, All the sides were excellent, so there was plenty to distract us. The mac and cheese while fussed over here was super cheesy and thick, though I'm not a fan of the super heavy style. Stick with your excellent soul food veggies. The slaw was finely chopped and cold and fresh. The sauces provided with the exception of the hot sauce seemed home-made. Despite my son's impromptu lesson, I'd definitely go back and take the kids. They were really very friendly. Just thought I'd add a bit to the discussion other than the obv.
(4)
Alex W.
Woah, this place is good. I had the pork, ribs, brisket with mac n cheese, corn, and hushpuppies. Pork - great. Ribs - great. Mac n cheese - REALLY GREAT, probably the best I've ever had. Corn and hushpuppies were good as well. The brisket - eh...it's ok. I'm more of a Texas brisket fan and they cook it differently. I still prefer Texas brisket over NC brisket, but overall, this place is great. The people that run the place are really sweet as well. They gave us a brief tour of the smoker out back, which smelled great! I'm on the line between 4 and 5 stars due to the brisket, but I don't want to lower their rating so I'll go with 5 stars.
(5)
Jesse L.
Great food, really nice people some of the best BBQ in NC
(5)
Paul D.
Best NC BBQ around these parts-- and I don't really like NC-style BBQ! Better than Bullocks and the Pit. I would eat there every day of the week. The chicken, the pulled pork, the ribs... all good. The brisket is their weakest link, for the reasons others have posted here. The best brisket I've had in Durham is at the Q-Shack. That said, their sides are amazing, and the people are uber friendly. Great spot for sure!
(4)
RINNA L.
Pretty awesome. I walked 2 miles down highway 55 after reading all the awesome reviews on Yelp to get to this place from my hotel. The food was amazing and cheap. 6 bucks for a pulled pork sandwich, side of mac and cheese, side of hush-puppies and a soda. The pulled pork was great and i love that they have all the options of sauces. Mac and cheese was ok - a little congealed, but still tasty. Hush-puppies were amazing - slightly cinnamon-y. the service was fast and courteous. the over-all atmosphere is slightly fast food-ish. I was hoping it was a place i could get a beer, some food and chill - but it's not really. More of a take-out place for dinner time. But being that tasty and cheap - go for it.
(4)
Jim S.
Drove all the way from Atlanta on an emergency service call and this was the first stop, Did our service call then headed to Smokies for food to drive back to Atlanta for later. Backyard's pulled pork is great and the ribs are second to none in the wet catagory. Fried Okra and Mac and Cheese. they just don't make it this way in California. I really like the family feel of the people working there.
(5)
Brittany B.
On a saturday afternoon we headed over to Backyard BBQ with the intention of having some excellent NC-style pulled pork BBQ. We've had it before and it is seriously some of the best in the area. Unfortunately, we were there later in the day (around 4, and they close at 6 on Saturday) so they were out of the pork BBQ and Ribs. No matter, this was an excuse to try something different (which I know I couldn't do otherwise!). Instead we got their beef brisket and bbq chicken. The beef brisket was actually a little bit of a let down since the flavor was lacking a bit and the meat was significantly fatty. The BBQ chicken was solid - everything I could expect from BBQ chicken (still not pulled pork, though!). The sides were as good as always - the Mac and Cheese is AMAZING, it is very obviously homemade and loaded with real cheese. The sweet potatoes were very good, with a normal brown sugar and cinnamon sauce of some kind on it. The green beans were everything we could ask for from your standard BBQ place. One of the best part's about Backyard is that the prices are so reasonable for the quality you get. The actual restaurant looks more like a dive, but this is one we certainly will be headed back to!
(4)
J H.
So I'm laid up in the bed, not feeling to well, and I've sent out my partner to buy some Backyard BBQ and I figured I may as well review them while I'm at it. This place may look like a dump from the outside, but the food more than makes up for it. The chopped BBQ is very flavorful with a strong vinegar kick, which normally I don't care for, but this is just delicous. A great blend of spices compliments the vinegar nicely. Fried okra and mac & cheese are always spot on for vegetables. I'm a green bean fan, but there's tend to be a little overcooked and greasy so I pass on those, and the hush puppies aren't that good either. Potatoes are always good, so are their lima beans and black eyed peas. Portions are quite large which is always a plus as well. I don't give 5 stars because a restaurant should have no complaints at all in my book to get that rating.
(4)
Raomej C.
I'm no stranger to BBQ and this place is the best I've ever had, and I'm not even the biggest fan of vinegar-based 'cue! So delicious, I'd come all the way back to Durham for it...or I'll get my friends to ship some frozen pork to NYC.
(5)
Victor M.
Wow the place is not much to look at but this is real southern food. I've been to The Pit in downtown Raleigh and if you want better food for a reasonable price this is your place. Went there for lunch and had the BBQ ribs w/ Mac&Chz and corn. The ribs were falling off the bone the sauce was not too heavy and the portions were perfect. the mac and Cheese were fresh and the corn sweet. Since this is not far from work Im going to add the to my lunch spots.
(5)
Kevin H.
I'm from Northern California and really enjoy some BBQ pork, this place has now ruined it for me anywhere else, and I mean that in the best possible way. Nowhere at home will I find pork that tender and sauce that delicious. The only complaint I would have is that the Mac and Cheese was quite a bit greasy, but that wouldn't stop me from having it again. I would highly suggest this place to anyone and I will have to return again before I leave.
(5)
Glen W.
Don't mess around with the ribs here. Go straight for the pork BBQ. With lots of vinegar and pepper BBQ sauce.
(4)
Ron L.
It would be a sin to travel to North Carolina and not have the cue. My flight arrived late, and I was pushing it to get here on time before it closed. To my disappointment, I pulled up to the door and there it was...C-L-O-S-E-D... The young guys cleaning up saw my disappointment, and gave me the type of Southern hospitality that these parts are know for...he opened the doors and proceeded to give me what was available. Man, was I in for a treat. Ribs, greens, pulled pork (know simply as barbecue in these parts), hush puppies, and mac and cheese. Next time I travel here I'll take an earlier flight. Forget the hotel restaurant - this is my go to place from now on.
(5)
Rahsaan A.
Great turkey bbq
(4)
Ashley A.
Hands down the best BBQ in Raleigh!!! If you like Mom & Pops Spots this is the place to go!! I had the turkey plate... Man o man talk about good eating!!! Friendly service, great food, and affordable! Wow'zzers what else can a lady ask for!
(5)
Rowan L.
All I can say is WOW. That bbq is the best I've had in a long time. Not over sauced but super smoky and beautifully melt in the mouth. The chicken was incredibly tender too - and tasty as all get out. I also had the Mac cheese which was very flavoursome as were the collard greens. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
David L.
This place is pretty much my first experience with Southern BBQ. I came with high expectations looking at all of the great reviews for this place. I decided to order the ribs after reminiscing on the best bbq ribs I ate back in California. Okay. The ribs were pretty good, but it definitely could not hold a candle to the ribs place back home (Phil's BBQ, if you were wondering). But taking that little tidbit aside, I did really enjoy my meal here. The ribs and two sides and a couple hush puppies for right under $10. Not bad. I would like to come here again and try their pulled pork next time. I got the cole slaw and the mac and cheese for my sides. I really enjoyed the cole slaw, though not so much the mac and cheese. Also, having tried hush puppies for the first time, I didn't really know what to make of them. They were rather bland by themselves, but with a bit of sugar, they were delicious. Definitely a good complement to the saucy ribs. Plenty of parking. Also, I think it gets very crowded here during peak hours, so plan accordingly. A great bbq spot here. David's VPP (Value per price): 7/10
(4)
Angela B.
This place is the real deal, fantastic BBQ pork sandwich, a Carolina must! Would recommend for any body looking for great BBQ
(5)
Stewart V.
What can I say about Backyard Bbq Pit? Everything was delicious.. Yum.. When we arrived there was a long line but it moved quick. The crew behind the serving line was like a well oiled machine. The gentleman directing traffic hollared out to the line anyone want anything fried? Fish, okra.. the customers in line yell back "flouder, whitting..two okra".. I hollar back "flounder" based on the gentleman behind me. I liked the Turkey Bbq sandwich the best which came as a surprise.. it was soft, and scrumptious.. the bbq was excellent also... The brisket was tender passed the pull test, had a smoke ring but was served in gravy. I really would have liked to taste the brisket without this gravy on it as this hides the suttle flavors from the smoke.. The Brunswick stew was sweet n delicious also. The outer crust of hush puppies were tasty but the inside was bland. Possibly needed to be fried longer or mixture a bit lighter. Flounder was very good also... If your in the area and enjoy southern cooking, give em a shot you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Courtney P.
Went here for the first time yesterday after reading all the good reviews. I had the pork bbq, Mac and cheese, and collards. The collards were just ok but the rest was amazing. The bbq was juicy smokey and had a little spice that was amazing and the Mac and cheese was as described here awesome. In my opinion this guy could sell this bbq out of the back of his truck and Id still line up to pay for it
(5)
VIncent B.
Went to this place after work. Read really great reviews. I arrived at 7:48pm, 12 minutes before closing. Soon as I opened the door, the guy behind the counter said "Closed!!!" I asked if they had anything at all, he again said "Closed!!" Granted I'll never go back to a place where they don't even say: "Hello, I'm so sorry we're closed and sold out of our delicious food, please come back tomorrow, etc"......you get the point. There are plenty of other places that greet you far better than that and will take your money....
(1)
Sammy U.
Southern comfort food through and through. They give you plenty of bbq sauce to lather on whatever you want. It's a great meal for preparing for those "Before" photos you'll need for your next diet.
(4)
Frank B.
This is our go-to choice for barbeque. You can't beat the food here. Sides are great, too.
(5)
Matt G.
Not sure how this gets consistent 5 stars. I had soggy ribs, just so so pulled pork, the collard greens were good and the brunswick stew was above average, not great. I would call this all in all a very average BBQ meal. No real smokiness to the meat, although it was tender and moist. Maybe I've been spoiled with some of my other BBQ ventures, but this one didn't score high with me. BTW, on the way to the airport I had to make a BBQ-induced pitstop. Not good.
(2)
Damon C.
Love this place! I usually get brisket or ribs for lunch, but tried the fried chicken today. It was excellent. Good flavor, and not over-cooked. The brisket is almost like a pot roast, and very tender.
(5)
John S.
This place captures the essence of a classic Carolina barbeque joint: a hole in the wall ambience with tasty wet barbecue and all of the fixings that accompany it. I had the 2 meats with 2 sides plate. For my meats- I chose the ribs and the brisket. The ribs were very moist and flavorful- falling off the bone- flavorful. The brisket was serves with the classic Carolina vinegar brine seasoning. It too was amazing. I chose the corn and the fried okra for my sides. Both were good as well. That plus a bottle of PBR for less than $21. All in all- a highly recommended experience.
(5)
Ana R.
I gave four stars because I loved all their side dishes. The best collard greens and Mac and cheese I have had in Durham. I don't like sweet barbecued meat and that is what they serve.
(4)
D K.
The customer service and food quality has gone down since my first visit. They have very good BBQ but the sides are not homemade. The mac and cheese looks like noodles in oil and cheese, it literally falls apart when trying to eat it. The green beans taste like they were frozen. They used to let you get as much sauce as you needed with your to go order, now they ration out the small sauce cups. Flies are rampant and the food is not protected from them. They could use pest control.
(2)
Kim A.
Backyard BBQ is a whole in the wall dive. It is exactly what everyone is describing. I sometimes dream of their brisket and mac and cheese. The hush puppy's are great too. I love this place! It's so good!
(5)
Stephanie Z.
I stumbled upon this place when at the nearby autobell. I had been out of NC for many years and thought it looked like promising barbecue. The pulled pork is awesome and what keeps me coming back. The sides are hit or miss. Sometimes hush puppies and fried okra are sitting under a heat lamp rather than fresh. The mac n cheese is delicious but is quite greasy.
(3)
William D.
This place is great. It feels the way a BBQ joint should. Also like that the customer base is really integrated, which doesn't happen much. Pork: outstanding. Pulled pork, eastern-style. Moist and delicious. Sides: unremarkable. Collards were soupy and slaw was just OK.
(4)
Heather L.
Brisket is braised not slow smoked and sliced. Came in chunks drowning in fat. Ribs tasty none of our meats tasted grilled and yet you know at some point it was smoked by the red smoke ring. Meat was ok Fried catfish tasted fresh but coating not crispy and hush puppies are fried dough not cornmeal mix. Sides very good- wish they had the collards to try but out All in all its ok
(3)
Diana X.
BBQ here is hands down the best I've ever had and such a great value for the price. And I've been to several in the Triangle. Definitely a place to take your out-of-town friends when introducing them to Southern food.
(5)
Michael H.
The real deal! Backyard BBQ is a dive-y BBQ joint that serves up some of the best southern cooking I've found within 50 miles of Raleigh's city limits. Their BBQ is excellent, but for me the real treat is the ribs. Thick, well done and falling-off-the-bone, this is what Carolina style ribs are meant to be.
(5)
Mark N.
This place is real. I love NC BBQ, and only a few deliver the taste and atmosphere. The servers are fantastic and the PBRs are ice cold. This is a hole-in-the wall joint, not for the trendy crowd. Perfect.
(5)
Sean C.
Moved from NJ/NYC down to NC last year, and have been here at least a dozen times. This is THE BEST bbq pork/pulled pork that we have found in the Triangle, hands-down. Collards and slaw are on point. No frills, delicious food, and awesome staff. Pineapple-lemonade to wash everything down.
(5)
Farnaz S.
I visted this place only because of Yelp reviews. I just got out.of plane and had to eat some hot and homemade food. The only reason they won't get 5 stars is the food was too greasy to my pallet. The species were right on point and the service was nice and welcoming.
(4)
Mitch C.
Wow. This is authentic, home style Carolina BBQ. Visited this restaurant with 4 friends who are from different parts of the country. Everyone loved the food and thought it was outstanding - including the native Texan in our party! Pulled pork and chicken were awesome. Every side dish was excellent - from okra, mac&cheese, to collard greens, green beans, etc. Food is straightforward, without fancy presentation or decor. Prices are reasonable. Not greasy or over salted. The natural flavors of every item comes through. I can only imagine if this place was outside Ft Bragg or Camp Lejeune, there'd be a 4 hour wait to get food! Folks in Raleigh are spoiled! Get anything on the menu - if you enjoy traditional Southern food or BBQ, you will not be disappointed. Great place to go if visiting from out of town. You will have the real NC BBQ experience!
(5)
K F.
Food was ok....no air conditioning....lots of flies. Service was friendly.
(3)
Angela M.
This is authentic barbecue. The kind that is made on the premises with lots of slow cooked love. Since it doesn't open until 1 on Saturdays, it was the perfect fit for our lazy Saturday. I sat at the booth while Jimmy got my pork sandwich with collards and mac 'n' cheese. Everything was yummy - the pork was tender and moist, the mac 'n' cheese was VERY cheesy, and the collards were cooked to the perfect texture. I opted for the sweet and spicy dark sauce, which seemed to be molasses/ketchup based. They also had a red pepper oil sauce, which I probably should have added to the collards, since they weren't the most flavorful I've had. There were lots of desserts to choose from, and Jimmy and Slipp seemed to thoroughly enjoy the moist chocolate cake with chocolate glaze and the lemon cake. The atmosphere is so friendly and homey - adding to the authentic vibe. The employees are constantly walking around to ask how everything is and keep the place neat and clean. Everyone gets to sign the walls, adding to the charm. I can easily see us coming back here next time we're in the area.
(4)
Marilyn R.
No frills, casual great, authentic food. Don't look for fancy seating, white cloth tables or even air conditioning....just straight to food...and it is fantastic at a great price.
(5)
Michael K.
Okay get over the dirty floors and the pot holes in the parking lot. Who cares that the place could use a make over! I am not eating in the parking lot or off the floor! I got the Ribs with Mac and Cheese! Holly mother of god this was good!!!! Bottom line the staff and food are prefect! The place could use some work. I think up north they would have been shut down....
(4)
William K.
Review from an out-of-state visitor (from Maryland) - the ribs are the best ribs I've ever had. Fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. The hush puppies were awesome as well, and the sides of mac-and-cheese and corn were perfect compliments to the ribs. I wish I could visit again soon!
(5)
Wesley K.
This place is incredible. Food is delectable, staff is friendly and funny, and their vinegar sauce is lip-smacking.
(5)
Aidan D.
Get there early. Long line. Worth the wait. A North Carolina gem.
(5)
David M.
This place is great! Some say the place is a dive .. I say it has character. No matter though ... the food is wonderful .. really great NC style BBQ and Texas BBQ as well. The hushpuppies are by far the best I have ever had .. just incredible! I really need to go with an emptier stomach next time! The services is quick and the servers have a smile for you and a quick wit. All for a very low price.
(4)
Danielle W.
Stopped at Backyard BBQ over the weekend and was surprised just by how fantastic the food is. A no frills place that does BBQ right. Not much of a selection but when you do something well you don't need fifty items on the menu. Ordered the rib plate with sweet potatoes and mac n cheese, the meat just fell off the bone and the mac n cheese hands down were my favorite. If I'm ever in Durham again I will be stopping by.
(5)
Jacob C.
Backyard BBQ Pit is easily a heavyweight in the contest of who has the best Triangle BBQ. Even writing this review right now is making my stomach call for some good quality pulled pork. I've been a couple of times and have loved every visit. It's like a BBQ place should be, small, unassuming, somewhat dingy but not to a point that it's gross. Basically the focus is on the food. Great BBQ sandwich for lunch (at an excellent price) and they have a ton of sides to pick from. So far I've had the hush puppies, mac and cheese, collard greens and sweet potatoes. All have been above average. They also have ribs, chicken and fried fish, but each time I've found it hard to stray from the delicious tried-and-true tastes of a pulled pork sandwich with slaw. Maybe one day I'll branch out. But either way, it's a great option for lunch, or any other meal for that matter, in RTP.
(4)
Mark S.
The best BBQ I've ever had, and I've had lots. Perfect flavor, always fresh and great prices. No matter which "style" BBQ sauce you like, they have them all. Highly recommended.
(5)
Alan S.
Holy crap. There are some good BBQ places around here, but this one is amazing. Can't really call it a hole in the wall, because it's a free standing restaurant. It has just the atmosphere I would want for some down to earth ridiculously good tasting bbq. The staff looks like a big family. The walls have what looks like decades of fun written on them. Can't really go on more without repeating too much of what everyone else says. Go here. At least once, if not a million more times like I have.
(5)
Steve L.
Very good BBQ, great service. Like the other reviewers, recommend the mac and cheese. The pulled pork was good, but not quite five stars good. After three trips here over the years, you can't go too wrong here.
(4)
Danni D.
My first NC BBQ outing. Delicious! I think that maybe the vinegar/meat thing just isn't my thing, but I'm certainly glad i tried it. The pulled pork was melty tender, and they had some great sauces to add to the meat. The sides...woah! Fantastic! Delicious hush puppies - light and sweet, just the way I like them. Fried okra was really good. Yams were fresh and sweet and saucy. Collard greens were salty, fresh and delicious. I could get stuffed on sides alone here. Sweet tea was the best I've had. Perfect sweetness level while still tasting like tea.
(4)
Ryan D.
I think I get why some locals like the place, but it's OK at best. Pulled pork is good, but nothing extraordinary compared to other NC joints. Sides are OK. The inside is either charming or weird, depending on how you see it: drawing on the walls and cartoons on the TV. The reason for 2 stars is that the place served me the worst brisket I've ever had. I know that NC doesn't do brisket, but it was truly bad. If a friend of mine who had never cooked served me this cut of tough, flavorless meat, I would have struggled to finish it. In this case I didn't finish it. And it wasn't that cheap either - to get brisket I paid an extra $6 on top of my pork plate. I cannot emphasize how bad it was. There are better places for BBQ.
(2)
Jerry B.
The packed full plate of they serve you is almost over the top. The service is GREAT and the food is good. The decor is, well...let's say, the hand writing is on the wall, literally...it appears everyone writes on the wall. Today the Mac&Cheese was Extra cheesy, the cabbage was tasty and the chopped Barbecue was okay. Here's a good Greasy Spoon. Service 5/5 Decor 2/5 and Food 3/5 are the rating for todays meal.
(3)
Adri T.
Friendly, fast, flavorful! What more can you say that has not already been said? Ordered brisket with okra and macaroni. The food was ready quickly and the okra was fried to order. We loved that the okra was brought out to the table when it was ready, and loved even more that it was given to us in a Chinese take out bag! The macaroni is like I always wished my grandma made - you know the kind - the kind with that layer of orangish flavorful cheese grease on top? Yes, that's it. And - Aw - My - Gawd - was it amazing! The brisket was served with a gravy type sauce that (admittedly) scared me a little when I opened my styrofoam box. However, one whiff and a good hearty bite and I was convinced that this stuff was divine! Cannot believe we have not been here before now, and cannot wait to go back. Next time I'll bring my Sharpie to autograph the walls.
(5)
Osamede O.
Writing this review at 12am, as I wake up from such a wonderful itis induced by my meal from Backyard BBQ Pit. This small spot is a tough find with a narrow drive-way, but once you pull up its gametime and you'll know it deep in your soul. When I walked in, I was disappointed by the look of the place. Although reviews had warned me, I still was not ready. There are signatures on the wall by everyone whose came. The food looked like it was sitting there for a while. Thankfully, two customers were in front of me and I could see how happy they were, so I decided to proceed. The people working the front were southern to the core, which gives you a very authentic feel. I ordered the rib plate with macaroni and cheese as well as fried okra. The food was great. The ribs were literally fall off the bone. I slid out each bone before I "went in". The ribs were interesting because although there was sauce on them, the dry rub still stands out. Most of the time, sauce plays too much of a role, and this wasn't the case. The macaroni and cheese was great. It was the type that had the layer of cheese on the top. The fried okra was great. I couldn't explain how good it was great. It tasted like everyone's grandmother was huddled in the back deciding on the best way to prepare them. The hush puppies were great, and basically were sweet cornbread fried aka delicious. To drink, Pineapple Lemonade. The concoction was great. One of those ideas where you think "why haven't I tried this". Coming from Boston this was a wonderful treat. The people were great and there were plenty of places to sit. Hopefully I can be back.
(4)
chris s.
Had the working man's lunch for 4.99 BBQ sandwich and two sides! A real bargain. Great food And nice people.
(5)
Natalie F.
Great barbeque for a great price. I generally like red barbeque better than NC style but this is pretty tasty. The sides are awesome. I like the relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
David C.
Backyard BBQ Pit is the best BBQ I've encountered in the Triangle since moving here a few years ago. After a few disappointing trips to other, maybe more "well known" BBQ joints, Backyard BBQ restored my faith in the area's BBQ potential. When you first walk in the door, you'll be greeted by an incredibly friendly and helpful staff. OH, and the smells! The place looks, feels, and smells authentic. It's a down home place with great food. My personal favorite is the pork sandwich with mac n cheese and fried okra on the side. The slaw is awesome, too, and I always have them put some on my sandwich. The prices are very reasonable, service is fast, and the Q is great. What more could you want? Highly recommend.
(5)
Kyle B.
Place to go if you want Carolina BBQ. Also good southern home cooking. Pulled pork is light on sauce but they give you plenty to dress it how you like it. Also beef brisket and fish (I love the flounder here). Greens and Mac&Cheese is excellent. Lemonade everyone raves on as well they make from scratch. Only downside is their place is always full, and parking lot is limited. Feel free to use the ABC store next door to park in.
(5)
Elizabeth F.
Yum! I had the barbeque sandwich platter (comes with two sides) for an unbelievable price of $4.95. The sandwich was delicious and moist, just like it should be. For my sides, I chose mac-and-cheese and Brunswick Stew (just about the best I have ever had). Plus, the nice lady behind the counter called me "doll baby". So what is not to love! I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Matthew T.
No frills. But the food was good
(4)
logan j.
This place is no frills deliciousness! The staff are all very nice and hospitable. We had the ribs, brisket, collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese, and baked beans. Everything was extremley tastey and cooked perfectly. This is one of those neighborhood gems that you would drive right by if you didnt know any better. I'm glad we were with a local that exposes us it was soooooo worth it.
(5)
Jay K.
Great pulled pork sandwich, homestyle mac & cheese. Family banter between staff made for an inexpensive dinner. Order and pick up at counter. They do have beer including Stella Artois (which seemed a bit out of place). For the money, a severely unpretentious barbecue of the Carolina style - then you could do a lot worse and spend a lot more money.
(4)
Bobby T.
Backyard BBQ pit is a true eastern NC style dive. I've called cooper's the best BBQ in the triangle for the last decade, and I'll say Backyard BBQ Pit's BBQ is just as good. Overall they get a slight edge over cooper's because the sides are better. The mac and cheese might give you a heart attack, but it'll be the happiest heart attack you could have. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that I live a mile and a half away.
(5)
Grace B.
I love this place! The service is always friendly and warm, which goes along perfectly with the BBQ and sides they're dishing up. The BBQ sauces are delicious and pair perfectly with the BBQ, I've never had a side I didn't like. The food here reminds me of something you'd have at a backyard BBQ, much like it's name!
(5)
Kim H.
I was out here for work. I tried all sorts of fancy places and was not impressed until someone told me to stop by this little hole in the wall. I mean hole in the wall. Not clean....no a/c and NC you need a/c. This place rocks. Best dang bbq I have tasted. The ribs, the sides, the banana crumb pie.....unbelievable. Just make sure you realize you are coming here for food experience not ambiance (well ambiance in a diifferent way). If you want a nice a/c place with waitress service go somewhere else pay three times as much for inferior food. Next time I am back for work....this is my place to stop by and grab some good old grub.
(5)
Matt F.
Never really liked BBQ before coming here. Tried it out because of Yelp and was not disappointed. The sides are mediocre (outside of the mac and cheese and the hush puppies) but this place easily gets 5 stars based on the ridiculously amazing pulled pork. I usually get some sauce with it, but the meat is so perfectly seasoned it doesn't need any. Not sure how anything other than the pulled pork is because I haven't been able to force myself to order anything but. Cheap as well with quick carry out.
(5)
Andre P.
went today, as I read the reviews, the staff is upbeat and pleasant, however was there for the food. It was good, don't take me wrong, it was but the ribs were undercooked, not fall off the bone and the potatoes tasted like they came out of a can
(2)
Sandra H.
If you like barbecue, Brunswick stew, collards, Mac& cheese, slaw or hush puppies - you will like this place. If you love all of those then you can't miss this place! But don't wait until closing time. If they run out of something - it's gone! The bbq is smoked and very tasty! The hush puppies are with the trip in their own! I'll be back to try the ribs and the flounder - both looked so good! Other reviewers mention the outside looks of the restaurant - don't shy away. The food cannot be beat!
(5)
Tim B.
Hot dang that's some good cue. Highly recommend it if you like the real deal with some down home friendly folks and a good hearty meal. Did I mention that it's very reasonably priced as well?
(5)
Chantal G.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had! The ribs melt off the bone and the mac n cheese is delicious! I highly recommend this place-- especially if you are visiting and want cheap beer and bbq!
(5)
Katherine K.
Having moved back to Durham since the previous review, I felt I needed to provide an update. This is my family's go-to BBQ spot, without a doubt some of the best around. Pulled pork is my typical protein choice here. But the ribs are delicious, and 100% worth the wait if you hit them up when they're busy. BBQ chicken is flavorful and tender, so well cooked that it falls off the bone. Macaroni and cheese!!!!! If you love it, you have to give theirs a try. So much cheese, it often stretches from tray to mouth. All the sides I've had are phenomenal. My personal favorites are their cabbage, greens, and green beans. And the hush puppies.... Don't sleep on the hush puppies! They are the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Get a side if they're one of your favorites, though. I usually only come away with three to my meal.
(5)
Chris S.
I was looking for a BBQ Pit near Triangle area and ran across Backyard BBQ Pit with a great review. When I got to the place I was very disappointed with the food and how dirty the place is. I was expecting a BBQ grill with staffs cooking fresh food, but what I got was a premade cafeteria food that was salty and bland. I don't recommend the brisket or the bbq rib. I might go back and try the BBQ plate, but they should really clean up this place as the seats and the table were really sticky and filthy.
(2)
Tonnika H.
If you're looking for a healthy food do not come here. This place has the best BBQ the best ribs the best sides here in Durham North Carolina this staff is always real the place does not look like a five star restaurant but the service,....just perfect
(4)
Rosalyn S.
All of the best soul food restaurants I've been to spend no effort on decor and Backyard BBQ was no exception. This is a no frills place....very plain, nothing fancy. I ordered the pulled pork, cole slaw, and mac and cheese to go. It wasn't busy so I was out of there in less than 10 minutes. The service was prompt and the employees were professional. The pulled pork may be the best I've ever had. It was tender and had a nice smoky flavor with just a touch of heat. The cole slaw was just the the way I like it with a little sweetness. The mac and cheese was ah-ma-zing. Full of cheesy goodness! The hushpuppies were not the best I've ever had but I didn't leave any of them on the plate. I felt like I got a good value for what I paid. I will definitely go back as I want to try the ribs, cabbage, and yams.
(5)
Emaan M.
Oh Backyard BBQ how I will miss you so! Every work trip to Raleigh involves a pit stop at this place. It's a no nonsense, we make good food and that's that kinda place. Stand on the line, pick what you want. They always want you to get the pork for some reason, and even though they list shrimp on the menu, I have never seen it offered. I go with the BBQ chicken and its on point every time! Mac and Cheese and Cabbage are my fave sides, everything else seems to be laced in pork fat/rinds/bits (which I don't eat). The BBQ sauce there makes everything tastes even better, I'd slather it on everything if I had daily access to it. Every order comes with hush puppies. And they don't take AMEX. If you're new to the area, might want to try a Cheerwine (cherry flavored soda).
(4)
Gene B.
This is the real deal, for so many reasons. It's all about the sides, and we went back for seconds of them: mac n cheese, sweet potatoes, etc. The ribs were great. My wife is particular about her brisket, and their style (albeit delicious and well prepared) wasn't to her taste...but there's no question this place is worth the trip, right down to being served on styrofoam - this place is all about the food, forget the pretense.
(4)
Will S.
Had the fried chicken, green beans and mac and cheese. All were delicious with just the right amount of cooking and seasoning. Food is priced very reasonably. Staff is very friendly. Only issue is they always run out of stuff we want to try but that happens with good restaurants.
(4)
Irwin F.
Warning: this is NOT BBQ. It is soul food. This is the second place in NC that I have been to that advertises itself as "BBQ," but in reality, it's soul food. Warning bells were going off when I walked in and didn't smell smoke, which is the key component of BBQ! For a soul food place, I would give it 3.5 stars. Service is very friendly. Prices are dirt cheap. Portions are large. Sides are tasty. But Carolina smoked whole hog BBQ this place is not. The pork was mushy and had absolutely no bark, no smoke ring, and no smoke flavor. Ribs were mushy and drowned in BBQ sauce. Flies were everywhere.
(2)
J F.
Very average bbq. Dry pork, very little and bland slaw, greasy mac n cheese and awesome greens. Warm diet coke. Food was very uninspiring. Server and cashier were awesome. Super friendly. Gals in front of us in line were rude and made fun of greens. Said it needed vinegar... I beg to differ. Best greens I have had in a while. This place needs a scrub down fire cook but keep the great gals behind the counter. My friend had ribs and said they were size of dinosaur bones but tough and too much sauce and no taste. Sorry but there is a LOT better Q than this tired old place.
(1)
James A.
Fantastic NC BBQ! Delicious pulled pork sandwich. Excellent sides; though the collared greens were sold out :( Good beer selection for a shack as well.
(5)
Jessica P.
This is the best BBQ in the Triangle. Period. First, there are amazing smells from when you pull into the parking lot. The BBQ is perfectly melt-in-your-mouth tender with smoke flavor. Go for the more-vinegary sauce. No need to get any meat besides BBQ! But they do have ribs, fish, brisket, and more. These are the best sides, in order: Collard Greens Macaroni and Cheese Brunswick Stew Green Beans And of course the hush puppies are banging. Possibly also the best hush puppies in the Triangle! If you want to impress someone with good, authentic BBQ - this is the place.
(5)
George F.
We stopped in toward the end of their hours on a Friday night. They were out of most meats but they did a decent job of announcing what was left. We managed to get plates of ribs, fried pork chop and roasted chicken (dark meat). The chicken and pork chop were very good. The ribs were a little tough. We got potatoes, sweet potatoes and mac & cheese for sides. They were all pretty good but not spectacular. The staff was friendly and helpful though a bit overwhelmed with a line of people and the night winding down. All in all, it was a good meal but not something I'd have to go back for.
(3)
Max B.
This changes everything! I have lived in North Carolina for two years now and have really struggled to find THE North Carolina BBQ experience. This here is the real deal, I finally understand what all those other places were trying to do and in understand I know they will always be inferior. I should start out by saying I went there at 4pm on a Saturday, a time by which their famed pulled pork had been exhausted. I was on the verge of tears/going home when.... BOOM! PULLED TURKEY! At first they gave me a taste sensing my disappointment, but once I had it I knew I needed more. It was like that dream sequence in the big Lebowski happening in my mouth. Thanksgiving will no longer be a time of happiness for me as I will always be thinking about this turkey. I watched as round after round of people came in, on the verge of leaving, but would then try the turkey and realize like imperial storm troopers at the hands of Obi-wan that this was indeed the bbq they were looking for. Everything after that first bite is a blur of BBQ and happiness. I also got the BBQ chicken and it was melt-from-the-bones delicious, but dat turkey will live on in my mind forever. The sides were scrumptious, the hushpuppies crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and I left with a feeling of satisfaction I haven't had in years. I have no idea if the pulled pork is as good, but I look forward to going back and finding out.
(5)
S S.
Close to my home so figured I would give it a try. I timed it when the line was wrapping around inside the place but moves relatively quick. I did take out so I could enjoy my food later. If your going to dine in don't expect a 5 star dining place. The wall is covered in writing but didn't take the time to read what it said. Now on to the most important part, the food. The food was true eastern NC BBQ. I ordered fried chicken with hush puppies, Mac & cheese, sweet potato and a side of chopped BBQ. The chicken takes a few minutes to cook so be prepared to wait but had a nice crisp to it and the chicken was very moist. The Mac and cheese was a little greasy but that's from the oils in the cheese but was real good. The mashed sweet potato was sweet and I found very good. The chopped BBQ had some Smoke flavor to it and I personally enjoy the tang of eastern BBQ. I will definitely be back and enjoy some other offerings they have.
(4)
Trent M.
I had heard a lot about this BBQ place from co-workers and friends. I usually would grab take out from another local place but was encouraged to try Backyard. It wasn't bad. As soon as I parked and got out of the car I smelled the smoke from the smoker. I walked in the place and there was a long line that did move quickly. The line never seemed to go down so it tells me that they have a lot of regular customers who are dedicated to their BBQ. The food? It was okay, the ribs were meaty and slathered in BBQ sauce; the sweet potatoes were good but the mac and cheese was oily. There were other things on the food line that I wanted to try: baked beans, stewed tomatoes, but didn't have time. Will I return? Yes. I want to try the chicken and the other things I mentioned. Will I recommend it as the "best BBQ in Durham?" No. Because it isn't. It's okay, and I will return, but I won't bring friends and family and brag on it. Another Yelp member commented on the decor. I have to say it was quite messy. The writing on the walls and all of the flies really was a bit much. If I return I'll take my meal to go and call it a day.
(2)
Bernadette J.
I'll be back... First of all don't blink hard or you'll miss this place at night. I know I did. My husband kept saying "they better have some Really good BBQ after all this" He walked out a happy camper and why wouldn't he with such "slap your mama" good food! OMG! The Mac and cheese was off the hook! So were the candied yams. The stars were the ribs and the pulled turkey, though just a tad too salty in my book. To top it off, the lady at the register was just as sweet as their tea. The place looks like a dive but it's clean and there are tables to sit and eat if you so choose. If we end up imoving to the area, this place will be in our rotation, just not too often... I like having a clean bill of health!
(4)
Christina M.
The best BBQ I've had in Raleigh! It's a little hole in the wall place but the food is great! Took my little brother, who was visiting from New York here. He loved it and thought it was better than the pit. We got take out and brought it back to my office to eat. It does not have the best atmosphere, but that not what you come for. I will be taking everyone who visits raleigh here for the best BBQ.
(5)
Yimei W.
Dirty is right, but the food is tight. A solid eat that will fill you up. When we pulled up around 2pmish, the parking lot was empty. I was SO certain we drove all this way to the wrong "Backyard BBQ Pit," felt totally embarrassed, and was about to text the other car to tell them to turn around and figure out how to get to the "real" Backyard BBQ Pitt! Walking into the joint didn't do more to convince me, I surveyed the mess on the walls, the mess where the condiments were congregated, and didn't even want to imagine the mess we were about to eat. At this point I had my phone out and was ready to dial and apologize profusely for fumbling this one. But the cooks behind the counter immediately offered us a TRAY of samples of the food. Impressed by their hospitality-we stayed. Was it worth it? Like I said, it's a solid meal: you'll have some good, big pieces of meat and some good sides. It wasn't anything special or particularly amazing though-but that's coming from someone with a bias towards fairy food. I like my ribs a bit on the dry side like jerky, so if you're like me, you might find their ribs too goopy. Seemed like the guys in our group enjoyed themselves and were satisfied. And I have to say, the biggest mess was in the bathroom. So anyone who is a bit OCD: be forewarned. I probably wouldn't come back personally, but if everyone is saying this is the real Carolina BBQ, it might be worth a trip to experience it.
(3)
Shannon M.
I'll start with my favorite- the Catfish Plate! All the sides are tasty - collard greens were some of the best I've had. Mac & cheese is worth it. Ribs had great flavor! I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you choose to eat here- it was all so good! Loved the experience, the guys on the serving line were joking around with us and very friendly. Is now our favorite go to BBQ.
(5)
Cary M.
No, the atmosphere isn't amazing, but the food more than makes up for that. EVERYTHING is delicious. My biggest complaint is driving over there and they're closed because they're out of food, or it's a minor holiday. Guess I should call before I crave.
(4)
Jessica M.
We stopped in here on our visit in NC, and we were very impressed. It is just a simple southern BBQ place, but the food is amazing!
(5)
Katrina W.
This place is great. I travel to the area regularly and am always in search of good food near the park. The barbecue and sides are authentic southern seventh heaven. The staff are friendly and welcoming, more than making up for the dive-like location. The food is quick and inexpensive but better than I usually get from more expensive chain restaurants. I will definitely be back next time.
(4)
Michael S.
Everything here was good, but OMG... Loved the beef brisket here! Not being from NC, I don't know if I would call this your typical bbq joint (the ribs and mac n' cheese and pulled pork seemed to be similar to other places we tried), but I would say this was the best beef brisket as it was very juicy and moist. Seriously good stuff here.
(5)
Ingrid C.
I had prepared myself for walking into a slum - I had assumed, like good fried chicken, it was necessary for good bbq. When I drove up (in my rented PT Cruiser, no less), it was an unassuming brick building in a perfectly tolerable neighborhood. Then I got out of the car. What a heavenly smoky smell. Fast forward, back to reality. I opened the door and walked in. I'm sure the fixtures haven't been updated since the late 70s, but everything was clean. However, I'm sure some people find it oddly charming, but there was scrawl all over the walls. People are apparently encouraged to sign their names all over and instead of being cute, it was overly reminiscent of a giant bathroom stall. Please note that in lieu of napkins and dispensers, there were just a few rolls of paper towels lying about. Why 5 stars? AMAZING FOOD. I came wanting delicious dirty barbeque and greasy sides and that's EXACTLY what I got. Perfection. My ribs were delicious. Fried okra to order - not overly greasy, either. Collard greens with just the right amount of astringency. Golden, round, crispy-outside-soft-inside hush puppies. (LOVE the hush puppies.) All washed down with sugary delicious pineapple lemonade (with canned pineapples of course). I didn't find the bbq overly sweet, but it is on the sweeter side. The people were SO NICE, too. SO nice. Pescatarians can find some solace here with their meat-eating counterparts. I chose this place specifically so my fish-eating boy could have something to eat. I doubt the sides were all meat-free, but I didn't feel inclined (or find it necessary) to inform him. GO EAT MEAT NOW.
(5)
Michelle K.
some of the most disappointing moments in my life include being turned away from backyard bbq because they've run out of food. staff is great -- they recognized it was my first time and happily gave me a bunch of samples of the different meats. ribs over chopped pork. hush puppies are some of the best i've tried. mac and cheese, yes please.
(5)
Bob M.
Any time any of my team is anywhere near Backyard BBQ, I have them bring me barbecue, cabbage and collard greens. It just doesn't get any better than this!! Also, their brisket is awesome, as well. First class and the Real thing - it's all that!
(5)
Michael M.
The BBQ was different from I'm used to, but man was it good. The Mac-n-Cheese needs to be called Cheese-n-Mac...it was great.....I wasn't crazy about the green beans but everything else made up for it......and the Hushpuppies....they were so good people waited after they already had their food just to get the 2 hushpuppies that come with every plate.....We are talking 6 different orders waiting for the hushpuppies to come out.....It was everything that some previous comments had said about it being a dive and all, but I was already expecting that so seeing it didn't phase me.....I'll will be going back to get the combination plate......and the okra...they were out by the time I got there which was 8 pm
(5)
Jaime F.
Amazing food! Catering event was superb!! My favorite was the brunswick stew. Definitely great for a party or even to pop in the restaurant for lunch/dinner.
(4)
Lisa W.
I am a huge huge HUGE fan of Eastern Carolina BBQ (vinegar based) but living up in the DC metro area it's not something I can enjoy too often ... and much less so since the passing of a close relative who lived down there (every visit featured a trip or two to some of the down-home joints). A two-day (and two-night) work trip to the Raleigh-Durham area immediately sent up visions of "YES! BBQ!" dancing like sugarplums. But I didn't really have a place in mind, since most of the places I went were in the Greenville/ECU area. Despite the fact that I have been on a strict diet (and have NOT cheated even once) for a month now, I felt this was a worthy detour. Several people had suggested "The Pit" in Raleigh, which is apparently "the hot spot" but frankly, I was hoping for something a) closer to where I was staying so I could bring it home and be a pig (no pun intended) in the privacy of my hotel room and b) a little more "dive joint" than restaurant. A local I chatted with in passing (and yes, that means I probably mentioned my burning desire for BBQ with everyone I came within 10 feet of) suggested the Backyard as his own favorite place, and it was right on the way from my work to my hotel ... So after spending 10 hours (no exaggeration) in the sun, 100-degree heat and humidity, with my head splitting open, all that kept me going was "pulled pork pulled pork pulled pork." Found Backyard right where he'd described, pulled into the lot and got on a line that went out the door the minute the next person came in behind me. No matter, the scent had me transported and the wait gave me time to figure out what to order (um, everything on the meat menu? I have a cooler so I can bring home whatever I didn't eat) Three gentlemen working quickly to take and serve orders kept things moving and when it was my turn and I ordered pulled pork, my adorable server broke it to me gently that they had JUST run out of pork. They did, however, have pulled turkey. I went with it (as well as a half-rack of amazing ribs and stopped myself from ordering the equally-delicious-looking BBQ chicken). Got back to my room. Got comfy (read: changed out of sweat-drenched crunchy clothes). Decanted the turkey into a bowl (thank you, Towne Place Suites). Sat down with bowl and good book ... ... and was absolutely positively transported to cuisinary nirvana. I swear to God, this is one of the single most exquisite things I have ever tasted. I've had chicken BBQ and pork BBQ but never had turkey BBQ before. And maybe other places don't make it as well as Backyard, I have no idea ... Shredded and tender, every single mouthful juicy and succulent without seeming to be dripping with any visible sauce ... the sauce is cooked so seamlessly into the meat that it's neat, perfect and ... well, damn, I want this recipe!!!!!! I haven't had the ribs yet (they're coming home with me, along with about a quarter of the pint of BBQ) so I can enjoy bit by bit all weekend (and perhaps share with fellow dieter, hubby, if he asks nicely). I didn't have any of my usual favorite sides (mac cheese, sweet potatoes, etc.) because, hey, I AM on a diet, you know? But they looked/smelled wonderful as well. And honestly, if I'm gonna go for the calories, I just want more of that turkey! The folks working there were really nice and friendly, the service was amazingly quick given how long the line was, and there is a cool wipe-off board where people who come in sign in ... it appears there may be live music there sometimes (saw a small stage with a guitar and amp and posters of two cute girls). All I know is, their website says they're now bulk shipping. Save me and my diet. I'm in big trouble.
(5)
Bernard J.
Once again, I was on campus, depressed and moping over the lack of viable dinner options when my friend asked me if I wanted to try this BBQ place. To preface, i've lived in NC for most of my life and thus have been to many BBQ joints around the area, including Bullock's, Allen and Sons, Q shack etc, but not to this one. Always up for something new, I jumped on the opportunity. And it was good. The food: So my friend and I arrived rather late (around 7:50pm, and they close at 8:00pm.) and the choices were limited. Still, we managed to snag some pulled pork and ribs. We also had candied yams and Brunswick stew for our sides, as well as some hushpuppies. The total came to around $7 for the pulled pork plate, a few bucks more for the ribs. The pulled pork was good, as i've come to expect from authentic NC places. The spice-vinegar balance was just right. There wasn't anything that stood out about it, but i've become so accustomed to legitimate NC pulled pork that that statement is a good thing. The (wet) ribs were exceptionally tender and had a rich, slightly sweet, smoky flavor. The Brunswick stew was a little sweet for my tastes, but with good texture and the candied yams were entirely adequate. The hushpuppies, however, were fantastic little balls of fried goodness with the perfect amount of sweetness. The meat dishes were definitely the draws of the restaurant though. The place: Given how close we came to closing time, the cashiers and servers were very friendly, never rushing our orders but still expediently getting us our food. We also got a few free cups of lemonade, which was a unexpected gesture of kindness and well-paired with our food. The place itself is kind of a dive, but in more of a charming manner. Other coolness: They have a "sauce bar" where you can pour yourself hot sauce, sweet BBQ sauce and vinegar sauce to taste. I wouldn't recommend too much of the vinegar, as the pulled pork is already seasoned very well. What I missed: Sadly, because we came so late, we didn't get any of the mac and cheese or any of the fish (which are the usual southern fried species.) I guess that just means we'll have to come back, again and again, until we do. I'm looking forward to it.
(4)
Adam S.
A solid (but not spectacular) soul food spot. I got the brisket with collards and potato salad. I also tried the fried chicken, the okra, and the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was the best thing I tried. Some of my favorite that I have tried. The okra and collards were good as well. The collards had a nice vinegary tang. To me, the potato salad, fried chicken, and brisket were just ok. This place is a decent soul food place, but nothing life changing.
(3)
Larry M.
Even though I'm from the north I know a little about BBQ or Barbecue or Barbeque however you spell it. This place is pretty good, have only been there once but I tried a bit of everything and the only thing I didn't like as much as the other stuff were the ribs but they were still pretty good. The pulled or chopped pork that they just call BBQ was excellent the best I have ever had. If you are in the area or are visiting from out of town and want good BBQ this is your place.
(4)
Ben M.
If the feeling that you're in your elementary school cafeteria (complete with writing on the wall to identify who had been there) doesn't creep you out, it's worth your time to come this way and grab a reasonably-priced lunch or dinner. Although, at lunch you may end up using more time that initially bargained for, since everyone in RTP is hip to this spot. The BBQ itself is good, vinegar-based saucy BBQ. It's a little sweeter and less vinegary than I generally enjoy, but some people dig that sort of thing, I guess. When not in the mood for BBQ, they fry a mean chicken the likes of which you'd otherwise have to go to the Sandwich Shop in Benson to enjoy. I recommend going around dinner time, though, because the staff there are truly fun folks to be around and you just don't get the time to spend with them when they're busy serving up deliciousness to the weary RTP crowd.
(3)
Ricky W.
My wife, friend and I ate here today, and we thought the meal was very good. We ordered the $6.99 bbq plate and tea. My only quibble was with the service. The cashier wouldn't refill my tea immediately, saying " I'm waiting on a customer." I went back two more times, but he didn't acknowledge my presence. It looked like he was making tea, but he didn't tell me that he was sorry, and that it would be a few minutes. We all agreed that they need a tea station near the utensil station, so that customers won't have to beg for refills.
(4)
L M.
Good place to go to. Their fried chicken is very good even though you have to wait for them. Not a big fan of the mac and cheese (I think its greesy and mine is much better) but I like their baked beans. I usually get the bbq sandwich plate because its cheap and easy.
(4)
Christopher R.
First trip to Backyard BBQ Pit, and it won't be my last! What the place lacks in ambience, it makes up for with taste. I had a chopped BBQ plate with fried cabbage and fried Okra, and my friend had some Brisket and ribs. The counter guys let us sample anything we wanted and were really friendly. Personally, I LOVED the fried cabbage, and I single it out because it was hands down one of the best ways I ever ate the stuff, and I DO love cabbage. The chopped pork BBQ was as good as I have had in the South and I really enjoyed it. The Brisket was outstanding, but I can't tell you about the ribs because my friend inhaled them in minutes and I didn't get a chance to try them. I reserve my 5th star rating because the ambience of the place was nothing special. Gaze deep into your plate of Q and forget the surroundings.
(4)
Big S.
The food is good but overrated. There are a bunch of places in the triangle that are just as good. This place is always packed for lunch and it costs about $8 with a tea. They have some of the cheesiest mac and cheese of anywhere as well as some other good sides, but the meats are pretty average as is their tea. I recommend it for a good lunch.
(4)
James F.
All I can say is "WOW!" This place is the "real" NC BBQ that everyone in this area seeks. There are some other places around that serve a pretty good BBQ, but this is on the top of our list whenever we are around that area. I have dropped by an grabbed a sandwich and I have called in orders for over 50 people and they area always happy to serve it up fast! I can never seem to order enough Mac-n-Cheese though!
(5)
Megan K.
Best BBQ I have ever had. Came all the way from Colorado to stop by this gem for the second time! Still just as good as the first time my family ate there :)
(5)
Oak R.
Arguably the best BBQ I've ever had! EASILY the best Mac-n-cheese and hush-puppies I've had. Friendly folks and relaxed atmosphere. Great place to go when you're in the Triangle!
(5)
Loggins N. M.
Loved every bite. Too bad they were out of Brisket on my visit. Brought a group of 9, everyone walked away full and happy.
(5)
Dave T.
I love the food here all around. There parking is horrible during rush hours. The staff is very friendly and quick to push you through the line. I like all the signatures on the walls, gives the place an unique style. This place is priced a little high for me, however I will still give it 5 stars.
(5)
Chris H.
O.M.G. I discovered this place today and I'm SO happy I did...I love hole in the wall places and the food is simply amazing! the people are wonderful! They let me try the pork and the ribs when I walked in...and I ended up getting both! ribs that fall off the bone!! amazing!!! the mac & cheese is to die for...I will most definitely be back! Love it! If you're in the Triangle, you should definitely give this place a try! You won't be disappointed! You may spend over $10 a person, but they give you a lot of food so you won't feel cheated. simply wonderful! They also have some options that are under $10 for the budget conscious...seriously, check it out!
(5)
Brad T.
Out of town on a work trip can be tough when it comes to finding good restaurants, so we stopped in based on a quick recommendation from someone in town plus the positive words on Yelp, and it was very well worth it. First of all, the staff was extremely friendly and immediately joked with us and made us feel welcome. The atmosphere, although not exactly homey (it's essentially a cafeteria-style seating area), was cool because they let people write on the walls and it was obvious that people came from all over America to eat here. The guy at the counter was very helpful and got us a full rack of pork ribs plus sides of hush puppies, fried okra, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, and baked beans for an amazing price. The ribs practically melted off the bone and were smothered in amazing sauce, the kind of vinegar-based yumminess you can only get at a real BBQ restaurant. The macaroni and cheese was killer and the fried okra hit the spot; only the baked beans were bleh and we were overflowing with food anyway so it didn't matter. The only problems I could see at all would be the table size (definitely too small for three or more people) and the wait, which didn't affect us but clearly hit the people behind us, many of whom sat for the entire time we ate without receiving their meal yet. Hey, we had a great meal and will certainly be back (if we're back in Durham, that is) so give this place a shot, the food is killer.
(4)
Kimberly Y.
Awwwwwwwww.....Q! Well I thought I'd go to the library today at Duke, but Alabama's Crimson Tide decided to show up and whup ass, so I couldn't get parking so off I went in search of sustenance. Well, well, well what did I find? Backyard BBQ ya'll! Oh my f'ing God! Forget everywhere else, this is the legit stuff. Tangy, moist and the guy dishing the stuff out was pretty cute with his plaited hair. The mac and cheese was like granny's stuff and the greens were tasty too. The portions are so large that I had to take it home for later. I will definitely return.
(5)
N G.
The ribs were fall off the bone good, tender, and juicy. The chicken was also pretty good. Of the sides, I liked the sweet potatoes. It had just the right amount of sweetness to it. I didn't like the BBQ so much. The greens were tasty but a bit overcooked ( I came in pretty late so we'll try that again later). I'd come back for the ribs. Overall, it's a good value for the portions you get.
Tried the BBQ Pit for the first-time today at lunch. The restaurant is cafeteria-style; you can eat in, but we got take-out. There's a long line at noon when the RTP workers flood in. The crowds are here for good reason - it's good barbecue. We grabbed the Eastern-style vinegar sauce; it looked like there were some other varieties, but the bottles weren't labeled, so we weren't sure. It was good, as were the two sides we got - fried cabbage (that's a new one for me), which had a really good flavor and some gooey, yummy macaroni and cheese. We got very generous portions, with hushpuppies, for a reasonable price. In addition to the BBQ, they have fried chicken, ribs, and pork chops, plus lots of side items besides the two I tried. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Linda W.
In NC for two weeks and only made it here three times. See my previous review for initial impressions. Never saw the rib tips again, but if you do, grab some. Also the banana pudding was MIA two out of three times, so ditto on the grabbing because so far it's the best we've had anywhere. This time I tried the catfish and it was awesome. Yes, there was some grease in the bottom of the takeout container, but the filets were battered with something very tasty and fried to perfection. My husband stuck with the pulled pork and was sorry he hadn't tried the fish. We noticed on all three visits that a sizable number of the customers order fish, so BBQ is not the only attraction. Of course you have to wait for the fish, but there's always something going on to entertain you. Split a piece of strawberry cake three ways and it was OK, but not up to the banana pudding in sheer decadence. Noted that the health dept score was 96.4 and the floor was being mopped and the counterman was busy wiping things down when there weren't customers lined up, so I don't understand those folks who complain about the sanitation. Yes, it's not a chain restaurant and that's a very good thing.
(5)
Nick F.
Did not know this place existed until a friend told me about it. Wow the pulled pork was so tender and full of flavor it didn't even need BBQ sauce. You will be hard pressed to find better hush puppies too. The ribs are delicious. My only complaints is that the sides seem somewhat weak, plus there are times when menu items are unavailable, other than that this place is great.
(4)
Natacho K.
love this place! i discovered this place on yelp staying at a nearby hotel. and all the reviews are spot on. this place not only serves amazing carolina bbq, but truly has soul. i would highly recommend it!!! i went back once more during my visit and i'll be back next time i'm in nc. 5 stars for backyard bbq!
(5)
Ted Z.
This is simply the best barbecue in Durham; yes, better than Dillard's, Bullock's, Q shack and Hog Heaven. The pork is smoked over hickory and oak, chopped and seasoned simply in a vinegar sauce. Ribs, chicken, pork chops, brisket and fish are also served. The sides match up in quality - my favorites are the mac and cheese, fried cabbage, and collards - all greasy and delicious. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for good eastern NC barbecue in the area.
(5)
Melanie C.
Oh. my. goodness. I thought the pork was amazing. I had the pulled pork with the coleslaw, mac&cheese, and sweet potatoes. Hubby had the collards, so I tried that too. Oh, and hush puppies...cannot forget the hush puppies! The pork was moist and flavorful and I could really taste the smoke. I did not add too much extra sauce as I was sharing with Lilly and did not want it too spicy for her. I did not think it needed it, and believe me, I am a sauce person. The mac&cheese was good, but not as good as my mom's. I was not thrilled with the sweet potatoes. They were in a sweet, gelatinous sauce that was just so-so. The collards were delicious as were the hush puppies. Oh and the sweet tea was great! I am not always a fan, but I loved theirs. Affordable, tasty, casual....I liked reading all the writing on the wall. It said it all! I left our mark: Melvinly 2011 and Jersey girls like BBQ :)
(4)
Ben L.
This place is the standard for my limited experience in E. Carolina bbq (Clyde Cooper's and The Pit in Raleigh). The meat is well chopped, but not too mushy. More vinegar-y than these other places. The sides were very good -- wholly unhealthy green beans and legitimately real cheese mac and cheese. Hush puppies seemed rather standard (again, I'm no expert), which means good. Tea was sweet, as is the point I suppose. Great, great stuff. I would be a fatter person if I lived within 35 miles.
(5)
Andrew B.
This place has some good bbq! I had a standard plate with brunswick stew and sweet potatoes. Everything was excellent. Pig was very good and all meat. Sweet tea is excellent, as well, not over brewed like most places. Atmosphere is cafeteria style and the booths are a bit cramped. Pulls a serious RTP lunch crowd, so I would go early or late.
(4)
Tom S.
The place is not much to look at but these folks have the magic for BBQ. The line was out the door the entire time I was there.
(5)
Joe H.
Great bbq chicken, super tender. The bbq sauces were ok. The slaw was great. The stew was pretty good; certainly tasty. The hush puppies were very good. The best part was the price: $5.75 for all that.
(4)
J C.
Pulled into the parking lot and it smelled 'right'. Great food, super nice folks behind the counter. We had bbq pork( a bit too mashed for me, but the flavor was on the money), catfish, pork ribs, and for sides we had candy sweet potatoes, collards, green beans, real macaroni and cheese. Write on the wall, or the ceiling if you can. Ask to see the pit and let the smoke envelop you.
(4)
Mike M.
Umm umm good. Cheap eats and everything tasted great!
(4)
Karen H.
My parents owned a barbeque restaurant when i was younger and I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the stuff. And I have to tell you...it doesn't get much better than this! I ordered the pork dinner with slaw and collards. Everything was fantastic. Just the right amount of seasonings and served by some of the friendliest people you'd ever want to meet. However, I can't say enough about those collard greens! Man, good is an understatement!
(5)
Kelly M.
This place ain't fancy. There's scribbling on the walls and a framed velvet portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama but the bbq/soul food is to die for. I buy fried okra by the quart here, as well as greasy cheesy mac n' cheese, succulent pork ribs and tangy collard greens. If you come to the area and have an artery or two to spare, I suggest you visit.
(5)
Pat S.
Wow! Real food, real people, great value for the money. Makes me sorry for what we've lost with the explosion of fast food joints and franchises. My chicken was so tender, cabbage was killer, collards a tad too salty for me, Mac & cheese was the real deal. Husband claims they were the best ribs he's ever had, and we both wanted seconds on the hush puppies. Dining area is basic and very clean; we were prepared to get take-out and find a park somewhere but decided to stay in. If I lived in Durham I'd be a regular customer.
(5)
Carlos P.
Enthusiastic, polite staff serves up delicious, authentic BBQ. This is simple down home cooking, made to comfort more than impress. Menu has pork beef chicken and fish. Sides are of decent quality but lack originality and variety. Dining room has a serious fly problem.... get carryout.
(3)
Chris P.
GoodMac and cheese. BBQ was good. Greens were great.
(4)
Chris C.
awesome BBQ for the price. Its not a nice looking place by any means, but the food is great (and the crowd speaks for it). The ribs were awesome.
(5)
Jamie G.
Quick service, decent price, friendly workers. Hard to find, but decent parking. Went in today, a holiday, and they were out of a few things, which I wanted: brisket and potato salad. I ended with pulled pork, Mac n cheese and okra. Chocolate cake for dessert. It was good. The place was a hole in the wall, but that's what generally offers the best food. Would definitely go back, and from the looks of the license plates in the parking lot, a lot of out of towners visit!
(4)
Maxwell L.
Had the pulled pork and it was just a pile of soggy mush with minimal (if any) rub and no smoke flavor at all. Side of collards and Mac and cheese reminded me of cafeteria food. The vinegar based sauce had a nice mix of tangy/spice though. The other sauce was just excessively sweet. Water costs $.35.
(1)
Will L.
This is definitely my favorite BBQ spot in the Triangle. Tasty, juicy pulled pork and awesome sides (love the mac & cheese and brunswick stew).
(5)
Percy D.
*Note* I was in the last full day of my stay in NC and fully determined to sample some more BBQ spots, so I hit three spots up for take-out and then did a taste-test once I was back at my sister's place. Below are my thoughts on Backyard BBQ Pit. If you are trying impress someone on a date, this would be the equivalent of taking them to a buffet (don't laugh, I've seen that been done). Backyard looks like the inside of a men's bathroom stall, with walls written on to tell you "Casey was here 12-12-13" or so on, and a bunch of candy dispensers (a quarter gets you a handful of MIke & Ikes and such - well, unless you forget to put out your hand. In which case some of them bounce off the tray below and onto the floor) within arm's reach while you wait. But none of that is why you're here, is it? Backyard's food is pretty awesome: Pork BBQ: a slight spiciness to it; very edible. Pork Chops: I rarely ever order chops anywhere, because most chops fall well short of the best chops I've ever had (my own. Humility - not a strong point for me). However, Backyard's chops are the best I've had outside of my own kitchen. Or maybe my mom's. She and Backyard are neck-in-neck (just don't tell her I said that or she probably won't feed me the next time I see her). Beef Brisket: I'll tell you what: this isn't what I expected. I thought of brisket as dry, smoky, etc., and this is not that. It comes more like a beef stew preparation or, if you are familiar with Filipino food, it is something akin to beef mechado. That being said, this brisket is really, really tasty. Mac & Cheese: BEST I had at all the BBQ spots. Real cheese, melted and stringy when you spoon out a bit to eat. Collard Greens: This is what I want my collard greens to taste like. They have a slight sweetness to them that makes them yummmmmy. Hush Puppies: Crisp on the outside, also have a nice sweet finish to them. Of all the places I went to, Backyard's and Clyde Cooper's had the best hush puppies. Sweet potato: A little too sweet for me; I'd skip it next time. Green Beans: did not like these. But then again, I usually don't like vegetables, and people with me thought they were fine. All in all, we ordered three meals and three drinks, and it came out to $33.85. So good food, affordable price, accept credit cards...only knock is this isn't the place to go if you want upscale or ambiance, but again...that's not why you're here, is it?
(4)
Bill S.
The real deal. Ordered Pulled Pork Plate and Ribs, collard greens, cabbage, boiled potatoes, and sweet potatoes, with SOUL. Outstanding bbq, fast service, and a constant stream of customers. Collard greens and cabbage were very good. Do not come here for the ambiance, it's all about the food, and the food is great! Slow cooked goodness, with pride. The food is Five Stars, but the dining experience makes the overall score Four. If you are getting it to go, this is Five Star BBQ.
(4)
Gina A.
The five stars doesn't do this place justice. Or maybe I should say, Five stars means HOLY CRAP, THIS WAS GREAT BBQ! I had the BBQ chicken and it was the first time in my life that I have ever eaten a wing tip. Yes, that's right. There is actually meat in the tip of the wing, which falls apart quite easily. I'm not joking. I never knew this. The bones lifted off the breast I had super easy and I was looking at all meat, so good. I ate every bite of my collards and mac-n-cheese. Oh and don't get me started on the hushpuppies - I wanted more instantly. They ran out of fish so I didn't get to try that but now it's on my list of What To Get Next Time. A nice lady in front of me recommended everything she'd ever eaten there, and honestly so would I. Super inexpensive. I paid $17.00 for two of us, with drinks. And we got one of the higher priced items on the list. A Working Man's Special was $3.99 and was a BBQ pork sandwich with two sides. Go and try it! You won't be unsatisfied. I was there late for lunch, nearly 2 PM, and the line after me was out the door. They ran out of chicken twice while I was there.
(5)
Robert P.
I'm not one to write a bad review lightly. This is my 2nd visit to this restaurant in a 2 year period. I thought maybe the first time I'd caught them on an off day or something, but decided to give them a 2nd shot based the reviews here. I'm now writing this review to remind myself a year from now NOT to go back here. Let's be very clear about this people...this is NOT good barbecue. If it were, I could overlook the poor condition of the building itself. My favorite BBQ place is in a gas station. This trip to Backyard BBQ Pit they have cut holes in the walls and installed 4-5 window air conditioners through the holes, unfortunately they did a poor job of it and there are gaps around the edges so the flies have freedom to come and go as they please. The men's room smells so strongly of old piss I could barely stay in there long enough to wash my hands thoroughly. Now, on to why we are here...the food. What the hell is wrong with the other people writing these reviews? The ribs were so over cooked that pieces of the bone came off when I bit into the meat. One rib had shards of bone in the meat from the poor trimming job, and one rib was half fat. The flavor was just OK. The collard greens were so gritty (think sand or dirt) that I could only eat a few bites, and the sweet potatoes so overcooked they were almost the consistency of baby food. Last time I had the pulled pork and it was so overcooked it was mushy. The only two positives were the sweet tea and the BBQ sauce (which I would buy if it were bottled). If you want good BBQ from this place, go down the street to Food Lion to buy a rotisserie chicken or something and bring in here to sauce it, or just go somewhere else.
(1)
Richard G.
As usual, we are traveling millworkers and eat at restaurants around the country, eating at all kinds of these joints, and this place is nowhere near deserving of its (current 6/2014) rating. Allow me to explain: - Meat - We kind of veered off of our normal path of not getting the same entree, and both decided to get the "Pulled pork platter w/ 2 sides". The pork...*sighhh*, was a big let down. We came to this place expecting a good NC style pulled pork, but was instead met with a mushy, smokeless pile of meat that was nearly pre-chewed consistency. The flavor was bland, with a heavy pork flavor. Which might seem good to some, however it doesn't seem to have had a rub or any flavor enhancer, and again...i say SMOKELESS! No smoke flavor at all. - Sides - The side were decent, not many complaints here. We both went with mac and cheese. It was greasy indulgence. Gooey, stringy, greasy wonderful cheddar, and lots of it...just don't tell your cardiologist. I went with collard greens which were very good, if not maybe a little overdone, with a few big bitter stems in the bunch. The partner had sweet potatoes which he described as awesome. But how they looked on the steam table were rather unsightly and unkempt, with bits of miscellaneous side mixing in with other vats of sides. Take a bit more time, and be a bit more careful would be my advice. Or get better utensils. Also, there was a restaurant pan setup that was supposed to be keeping the cole slaw cold, but instead was filled with completely melted ice water, containing not thermometer to keep an eye on it. Bottom line is it was unsanitary and dangerous. - Service - The cashier was a wonderful woman, that seemed friendly as long as you told her your order precisely, and promptly. The servers however, like cafeteria workers, which, don't get me wrong, is charming at a lot of BBQ spots. Here however, they were i bit rude and rushed people along with overly pushy attitudes. Which, hey...Ive been around the block, and been to places where they literally yell at you. (Gates in KC anyone?). But again, there it was charming, here, they were just a bit crass and off-putting. - Atmosphere - Very dingy, very dirty; much of that comes from the age of everything. Walls with random graffiti by patrons that they encourage, which is fine. They only serve in to go styro clamshells; very wasteful. Butcher paper guys....it goes a long way, and paper cups maybe for sides. - Final Verdict - Subpar BBQ, unwelcome atmosphere, dirty conditions, bit some tasty sides: 2/5. Do not recommend. Unless you want some good mac.
(2)
Karie K.
Being new to the RTP I asked around to find good BBQ. A coworker recommended this place as it was not too far from work and he told me lots of people go there. He had never personnally been there. I was not expecting a classy restaurant in the least, but I was not expecting the dump that it was. My coworker was right - there was a rather long line of patrons and the line moved quick. I ended up having the pull pork sandwiich with 2 sides...it was a good price. The meal was ok. Sadly I would never go back or recommend to anyone. The interior was so dirty that I actually considered walking out a few times, but it was so small I did not want to appear rude. There were flies everywhere. The writing on the wall - made it look like an abandoned building that kids vandalized. The tables were dirty and the staff was not friendly at all. I did not think the food was anything special, and I will say I was seriously worried about getting sick given the amount of flies in the small restuarant.
(1)
Bryan F.
This is the real deal! First time here and I'm glad I beat the lunch crowd. I was 5th in line at 11:45 and when I sat down, the line was out the door. Tip - know what you want before you get to the front of the line! Dont slow things down. Glad I came here! Had the pulled pork with original vinegar-based sauce and mac+chee and collards on the side. Everything was tasty, original and authentic. Sweet tea was refreshing but not too sweet. Will come back real soon.
(5)
Josh H.
Went here with a friend of mine. The atmosphere was definitely unique and the food was good. I enjoyed the Working Man's Special with mac and cheese and collard greens. If you're in town and looking for some authentic southern fair, this place should be on your list.
(4)
Princess R.
We have seen this place so many times so we decided to give it a try. My husband ordered pulled pork and he said it was damn good. I wanted fish and they were out of flounder. The server said they have whittie and i never heard of that type of fish. I asked his to describe it to me me. He was not friendly at all it was as if i was bothering him. Worst customer service ever. Whittie to me i would say it tasted like flounder and it was pretty good the cabbage and collard greens were very salty. 9/20/14 server need people skills and i give him a 1/2
(3)
Craig F.
I tried this place because of the great yelp reviews and was not disappointed. Pulled pork was tender and delicious. Cole slaw was the best I've tasted in years. Green beans were great, as was the corn and fries. I was not raised on southern bbq so I won't claim to be an authority on the "authenticity" of the food but I can say that I've eaten at plenty of southern bbq restaurants in the area and this is the only one I would go back to on a regular occasion. The ambiance in the dining area is lacking, but that only makes me like the place more. They're not bothering with fancy decorations, they're focused on producing great tasting food. And the prices here are VERY reasonable.
(5)
Gail R.
Great place if you are in Durham and have a taste for a good ole barbeque sandwich
(4)
N K.
I got barbecue pork. The meat was tender and flavored PERFECTLY. Some of the best shredded pork I've had. For sides I had corn and collards- both great. I've had better hush puppies although there was nothing wrong with these. Overall, food tasted fresh and (relatively) non -greasy. Prices are very reasonable. The only downside is that the dining area is a bit plain/stark. We got our meals to go since we were in a rush. This is this first time we made it here before they ran out of food. So it was also a personal achievement.
(4)
Steve A.
Hole in the wall describes the place. I can't give it higher than 3 stars if you get your drinks from a soda fountain and there is graffiti (customer comments) scribbled on the walls. Great local BBQ. Need to return to better appreciate all the offerings. This visit was just for the ribs and brisket. All for under $13.
(3)
Jenna R.
Food was amazing!! We'll be coming here again! Loved the brisket and sweet potatoes! A lot of people were ordering the catfish.
(5)
Elle S.
love the juxtaposition of sharpie walls and service where everyone is called sweetheart
(5)
Christina L.
Really good food. Line was almost out the door and every customer had great things to say about the food. You may need to hit the gym afterwards but it's worth it.
(4)
Patrick M.
Very unassuming joint. Service a bit surly. Awesome food. Mac-n-cheese phenomenal. Pulled pork WOW! Cole slaw yummy. Line was out the door. We know why now!
(4)
James E.
Had the pork sandwich dinner combo. Pork wasn't very favorable and Mac and cheese was dry. Overall, the my meal didn't knock me off my feet. The fly problem they were having didn't help my appetite either. Probably will check out other BBQ places before coming back.
(2)
Adrian P.
I really like this place probably more than I should. Yes, it's a hole in the wall and sometimes the quality can be inconsistent. But man, I never liked pulled pork until I went to this place. The pulled pork is consistently divine, spicy and vinegary at the same time. It's like eating candy. The ribs are a bit disappointing, not because of the taste but because they are a bit fatty. The brisket is inconsistent, sometimes perfect and sometimes too mushy. The sides are consistently good, especially the hush puppies. Be warned that the Mac n Cheese is delicious but will clog you arteries just looking at it.
(4)
Just Being T.
Its ok I think its over price for some of the food portions that you get. I got the shrimp and flounder which was 17.99!! The shrimp was battered good the fish was huge but needed more seasoning but atleast it didnt taste frozen. They really need to work on their portion sizes. Also I need for them to work on the sanitation in there.uggh. I could not hardly order my food for fighting off the flies in there. They give a new meaning for hole in the wall. Its really dirty in there,and seems to get worst everytime I go.
(2)
Nikol H.
Excellent BBQ! Had the pulled pork and sampled all three sauces (personally prefer the vinegar style sauce). Okay sides, but the tender flavorful pork stole the show. Visiting from PA and this place came highly recommended for lunch. Get past the overall upkeep and the conversational-piece leaning table & you will find a great meal, at a great price. Be prepared for a line up to the counter, but it's worth the wait.
(4)
Linda H.
This place is crave-worthy. I've been here only a couple of times but definitely will be back. It's a hole in the wall place with great Carolina style BBQ. My favorite here is the pulled pork sandwich and I put on extra vinegar, bbq sauce, and hot sauce. Not sure how the locals do it, so I just put everything on it and still dream about it today. The mac and cheese is a great side but the sweet corn is the best. It's perfectly buttery and sweet at the same time. Mmmm!
(5)
Fred B.
I'm not sure what happened the first time I visited this little BBQ joint - don't know if they had a bad day, or I did (which, though rare, does occasionally happen), but we had lunch there today, and the food - all the food - was exceptional, including the Chopped BBQ. The pork is tender, moist, smokey, moderately chopped, and is properly sauced when served. The sauce is a basic Eastern NC vinegar based sauce, it is flavorful, but it is a mild sauce, no heat here. The slaw is a white mayo based, and just a tad sweet - goes very well with the pig. Plate with 2 sides is $6.49 - portions are not large on this plate (though in line with the price, I think), and you get 3 hushpuppies (which are outstanding, as well). The quart I bought to take home was a little short of $16. This was our first try at the Pork Ribs (plate was $9.49) with 2 sides - outstanding value (just check around on pricing), great portion, super taste. Pit cooked over hardwood just like the barbecued pork, the ribs are falling off the bone tender, Smokey, with a very nice sauce that is tasty and not overly sweet. I would come back here just for the ribs, and I haven't found many places I'd say that about. The Collards were also exceptional - tender and slightly sweet - haven't had many better. The Mac & Cheese was also very nice - absolutely thick with cheese. The Banana Pudding (all dessert servings are $1.89) is loaded with vanilla wafers, a little less pudding than some, but tasty - and it was served warm. Great food, friendly people who seemed to enjoy their work. Go early & often.
(5)
Zubaer J.
Amazing BBQ food. The ribs were phenomenal and almost always fresh out the back kitchen. The string beans side was very good and tasteful while the cabbage also had a very rich flavor. The mac n cheese was usual, you can't really get that wrong. I will be making many more trips in the future. Many, many trips. The pork, which I really don't like usually, wasn't that great but definitely the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, I'm too amazed by their ribs to try anything else ever again from here. The BBQ flavor on them is absolutely perfect. Also, they have the best hushpuppies in the state. There, I called it.
(5)
Julia W.
Best ribs I have ever had. The chicken and beef brisket were well received by my family as well. Everything is cooked so tender it melts off the bone. The place may not look like much but it is definitely worth stopping.
(5)
Charlie F.
Get a greasy pork sandwich with hushpuppies, mac n cheese, and huge coke. Sit alone and eat the whole thing in 5 minutes. Heaven.
(5)
Sarah J.
Spectacular southern food, especially the black eyed peas, collards!!!!!, and green beans. Amazing
(5)
Amy M.
Not a fan of NC bbq. The vinegar base doesn't suit my taste as much as the tomato based bbq I'm use to in Texas. The hush puppies are delish though. I've never cared for hush puppies until I tasted the ones here.
(3)
Bailey A.
Best BBQ experience in Durham (and I've lived there for 25 years). The greens and Mac and cheese are AMAZING.
(5)
Aimee W.
Had friends in from NYC who were craving "real" BBQ. Decided to try this place. AWWWWESOOOMMMME!!!! (said in a sing-song voice) HOWEVER, was looking so forward to trying their okra or their collard greens (after reading other Yelp reviews) and they had neither available that day (we went around 1pm on a Friday) Great amount of food for the price. Had pulled pork, mac&cheese and corn. (corn was from a can - not thrilling) but the hush puppies were really good! NC BBQ at it's best! Not fancy in the least ... don't take your fancy friends there. They won't "get" it. (the NYers we took LOVED every minute of the experience)
(4)
Arielle H.
Everything here is the bomb. My personal favorites are the macaroni and cheese, corn and of course the bbq. It's so good makes you wanna slap your momma
(4)
Jennifer K.
Q shack had been my go to place, but I decided to check this place out because of the great reviews here on yelp. As soon as I stepped in, I knew I'd be taking my food to-go. The place was dirty! Flies buzzing around everywhere, messy tables, and the writing on the walls was strange. I still had high hopes for the bbq and ordered pulled pork only to be told they ran out. So I went with the ribs instead and got mac and cheese and beans for my sides. The mac and cheese was disgusting. The oil and cheese was separated and when I squeezed a macaroni, oil would just spill out of the sides. I had a few bites, wiped my lips of all the oil and pushed it aside. The beans were watery and unimpressive, but the bbq itself was good. I think the abundance of flies hovering over the food is a good enough reason for me to not revisit this place, especially with all the other bbq options in the area.
(1)
Michelle G.
This place is exactly what the other reviewers says it is. A hole in the wall place with excellent pulled pork and BBQ. The Mac and cheese is phenomenal! A must go in the apex area!
(5)
Sindura B.
Awesome bbq in town. Chicken pork and even the sides were delicious. Hole in a wall restaurant.
(5)
Christina W.
We recently relocated to the area and are on the hunt for good NC bbq. We tried this place after getting a few recommendations and while all of their side dishes were awesome, the BBQ itself was lacking. We tried the pork BBQ, ribs, fried catfish, Mac n cheese, collards and baked beans (there was 4 of us!). The Mac n cheese while super oily was still my favorite part. The baked beans tasted like how thanksgiving smells if that makes sense?! All in all a good place but for everything other than BBQ
(3)
Terry B.
Pulled Pork Barbecue, Hush Puppies + Mac & Cheese were to die for. I liked the sweet ice tea too. It's really a local, southern gem but I would have loved to see a cleaner store in general. But absolutely great taste for a great grpice.
(4)
Paul V.
I saw this place on Man vs Food. As the show says ... Great food. My buddy came down from Pittsburgh and we checked it out. Stop by & eat.
(5)
James R.
If you want healthy fare, this isn't the place. Intimate date? Better to get take-out and meet at your place. It's a dive. But holy hell the food is delicious. Vinegar sauce is really good. Mac and cheese is the best I've ever had. Staff are either super friendly or pissed off at the world. Doesn't seem to be an in-between. Don't count on their posted business hours...if they feel like closing early, they will close early. And running out of BBQ happens. At 6 pm. On a Friday. But if the stars align, it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Jason B.
What this dive lacks in ambiance and parking lot, it makes up with in hospitality and flavor. I had the pork BBQ combo plate with pulled pork and brisket. This comes with 2 sides as well as hush puppies. I chose the recommended Mac n cheese and slaw, which were both good. Brisket was perfectly tender and flavorful. Pulled pork was super tender with a spicy vinegar base. I used both sauces that were available which include a molasses based sweet sauce, and a pepper flake spiked vinegar sauce, both were good. If you are feeling adventurous, opt for the pineapple lemonade instead of the sweet tea, you won't be disappointed. Price with drink for all came to $15, which I think is pretty close. You get a lot of food in the combo plate! Overall a good choice for the food, though I wouldn't recommend taking a date here. I could only give 3 stars as the furnishings make you want to bathe after leaving. I recommend taking the styrofoam to go, and enjoy in a more....civilized local!
(3)
Jonathan A.
Ignore the appearance of the place but don't ignore the food. Looks can be and in this case are deceiving. The food here is second to none!
(5)
Rod O.
Incredible Customer Service! Friendly! I told one of the guys working here I needed to look for a minute! He said "look? How about a taste"! Instead of asking me what would I like to taste he was Bold enough to serve us some samples, GLAD too because of the Brisket, Ribs and Chopped BBQ the BBQ wins! If Service counts I would give this place more stars, though as usual I'm here for the Food and though polite service is better than the opposite, if I have to choose, at a place like this the FOOD gets the Bulk of the stars! Chopped Pork BBQ 2 stars, Not very good! I have eaten worse, so it is better than some! A few! BBQ Sauces I like simplicity though one tasted like Ketchup with Chili Powder the other was not much better 1 star Mac and Cheese looked very good, tasted better than some, way too greasy 2 stars Collards, too stiff, needed to be cooked down more, too little flavor 2 stars We saw the writing on the wall once we were inside, writing is all over the walls, kinda cool! This place is a Hole-in-the-wall and I mean that in a good way, except the food could be Much better!
(2)
Joshua S.
I was visiting RTP and decided to give this place a try. First, the smell upon pulling into the parking lot was amazing! The place: a dive, mixed seating, some wobbly tables and all the food is served in styrofoam containers. The staff: very friendly and seemed genuinely happy to see you. The food: superb. The BBQ pork was very tender with the perfect amount of seasoning, tangy and sweet. The mac'n cheese on the side was yummy, and the slaw was fresh made. All around, a great meal for a great price.
(5)
Jon O.
A little torn on the 3-4 star rating here but I'll go with 4 since the service was so good and the food was decent as well. This place is very much the "grimy hole in the wall" type restaurant. The inside has all of the walls written on and they seem to encourage people to leave their mark which they do with reckless abandon. I had the pork plate with okra, green beans, mac and cheese and some hush puppies. Everything was fine but the hush puppies really weren't all that good. Not sure if it was a old batch or something but they were kinda chewy and flavorless. The green beans were the best side. I'm not sure what they put in with them but I suspect it is bacon grease or something to that effect which makes them a whole hell of a lot more tasty. The price was cheapish and you can get a good lunch time meal here for around $10. I'd go back here again but I don't think I would make it a regular stop.
(4)
Natacha S.
First BBQ place I'd gone to in North Carolina! My husband had an interview for his now-new-job in Chapel Hill and on our first night in town, we went to Backyard BBQ because it was close to our hotel. It was actually really good, especially for the price! We had just landed from California and literally gone straight to this place to eat - so imagine my face when I walked in. Hahah! It's definitely like walking into a whole-in-the-wall southern food place. The oddest thing was the writing all over the walls. But hey, the food was good and I'd go back again for a cheap pulled-pork sandwich. The macaroni and cheese was also very comfort-food yummy.
(3)
Chris V.
Food : D I got their pork bbq with a side of mac & cheese, brunswick stew. The bbq was so sweet that I found it inedible. The mac&cheese : terrible. Brunswick stew : sweet but the most edible among everything, hush puppies: zero flavor. Overall it was so bad that I could not endure more than a few bites. Ambience : C Cleanliness : D Flies everywhere. Don't know the sanitation score of this place, but if I had to guess it would be below 50. The only plus point I could find about the place is that the staff seemed friendly. No idea why others have given this place so many stars. May be they have never had good bbq like in Q-Shack or The Pit.
(1)
Crystal B.
We found this place because of the food network show. We continue to come here for lunch because of the food and hospitality. The bbq is the best in triangle and the sides are sinfully good. The collard greens are better than any I have had. Even the collards at our family reunions can't compare! It is the kind of place you might otherwise drive by but once you stop and have lunch, you will be back many times!
(5)
Sunshine W.
Really good food, I love the brisket and the vegetables. They really have that "southern grandma" taste that I love and miss so much. (RIP grandma) Anyway, the BBQ chicken is flavored all the way down to the bone and my husband loves the ribs. I don't care for the mac and cheese, it was cheesy but bland. The four stars is because the service is not always great. They were not rude but also not very friendly. The last few times that I visited, there were ladies fixing the plates and at the register and made it a better experience. It all depends on when you go. Definitely worth a try!
(4)
Sarah R.
Dingy place but the kitchen is clean and the food is amazing. They have great Carolina BBQ and really good ribs too. The coleslaw, mac and cheese, and hush puppies are my favorite sides! The folks who work here are very friendly and are happy to make suggestions.
(5)
Adam F.
Often with BBQ, the more hole-in-the-wall, the better. I've eaten BBQ all over North Carolina and Texas and this place is great. It's an incredible bargain, too. Stop in.
(5)
Vanessa B.
The pulled pork sandwich plate is definitely the best lunchtime deal at $4.99+tax, and I could only finish half. The pork was very flavorful (they are the few that still smoke their meat) and MOIST, the latter of which is most important. It's a bit salty, but as a sandwich, its perfect. The collards melted in my mouth, and the Mac and cheese was not gummy and soft. I forgot to try the hush puppies, but the coleslaw was addictive and had a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Overall, my only complaints were that the collards were sandy, the Mac and cheese and collards were really oily, and the squeeze bottle sauces tasted store bought, but they really weren't needed. Even with these issues, I still give it 5 bc of the value and taste relative to other restaurants in the area. Oh, and while the place is crazy busy, the service is super friendly.
(5)
Steven C.
This is some of the best bbq I've had in my 20 plus years in Raleigh. The pork was flavorful and juicy, and the sides were spiced uniquely and very well prepared. Its a run down hole for sure, but if you don't mind dining in relative squalor, this place is worth a drive.
(5)
Scott A.
Simply home cooking. It's one of those moments about finding out why the long line. If you cook you expect more from it.
(2)
Linda C.
Hands down. THE BEST BBQ IN NORTH CAROLINA. Yes, I am that girl that every single time I visit my family in Durham I have to pick up a quart of bbq to take home for the hubby and I. What ever they are doing in that kitchen is pure gold. We have not found a better BBQ place yet since we moved to Charlotte, and don't expect to. I can't say too much about sides except the mac and cheese will likely take a year off my life but it is worth it, and their hush puppies make my heart happy. They are all so kind here and I can only hope they expand (come to Charlotte please!). Love it, can't wait to come back.
(5)
Jo D.
Best bbq in NC !! Everything was Amazing and the staff is so friendly and funny . Mac and cheese so good !
(5)
Philip C.
I was very disappointed with the food at Backyard BBQ, although the people there are very friendly. The collard greens were great; not tough or bitter, and also not overly sweet. The hush puppies were very good and the pulled pork was good. The macaroni and cheese wasn't good. It was sitting in a puddle of its own oil. The brisket slices were absolutely terrible; not tender at all. In fact, they were so tough that they crunched when you bit into them. And $6.99 for small portions of one meat and two sides or $12.99 for two meats and two sides is no bargain, either. Carolina barbecue has a long way to go before I'll be impressed.
(1)
Alexa L.
We were looking for an establishment that served legit Carolina barbecue, and Backyard BBQ Pit had a lot of people backing it up on Yelp so we decided on this place. Plus, the pictures showed that it was a shabby, no-frills restaurant, which suggests that the owners put more effort into the food than the decor, and that's a good thing. The parking lot is small, and the building is dilapidated. But the constant flow of people in and out of the entrance means that you can't judge a book by its cover. When we walked in, you see that every inch of the walls is covered in patrons' writing. Definitely a seedy joint..Anyways we got the pulled pork plate with the rib tips and the mac and cheese and sweet potato as our sides. You also get a couple hushpuppies as well. Everything on our plate was delicious. The pulled pork with the house-made bbq sauce was mouthwatering. The rib tips were super tender and flavorful as well. There were no complaints with the sides either. All in all, this was a really satisfying meal and a great example of Carolina bbq done right. My only complaint is that the sweet tea tasted sort of different..like they added something in it that gave it a distinct taste. It wasn't bad per se, it was just not like regular sweet tea.
(5)
Abby G.
This place is the bomb! I had the pulled pork with collard greens and their amazing baked mac n cheese! It was deeeeelish. I was with 3 others and everyone was very happy with their meals. Plus, it's so cheap! 4 platters with drinks and our meal was $40! You can't even go to McDonalds for that cheap. Very friendly staff too! However, if you're looking for something fancy, definitely not your place. It's a total hole-in-the-wall place but those are always the best. :) Awesome family owned business that knows how to do BBQ!
(5)
Karen W.
Great spot for true Carolina bque. The pork was so tender and the vinegar based sauce complimented the meat perfectly. Sides are abundant and the Mac and cheese is fantastic! Went for the green beans since the okra was sold out for the night. Staff were quick and very friendly. Can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Maurie B.
Disappointed, expected famous Carolina bbq. Not what I expected. Brisket covered in brown gravy and turkey had no flavor. On positive note, hush puppies were great!
(1)
Emily T.
The real deal. If you're looking for good southern food, come here. Tastes homemade and delicious. Don't you dare walk out the door without trying the Mac.
(5)
Maggie N.
Super glad I found this gem! This is a dress-down, super casual place to grab a bite with a group of friends who don't care about lace-up shoes and dress jackets... The food is, however, amazing! Ive only ordered the ribs and it was outstanding!, most, juicy, mouth watering. The portion was generous, too - I always had leftover to bring home. Menu is simple but I bet if you like BBQ, you'll find something to order. The sides are great, too - I've seen a larger selection elsewhere but nevertheless I was happy. Definitely will come back to try the beef brisket... And maybe other dishes, too! I was going to say that this might not be the place for a romantic date, but heck, it will totallly work if the girl were a foodie...
(5)
Jenn A.
Good value. $33 for four people. Pretty good ribs and smoked chicken, but minus one star for running out of pulled pork (it was only 3 pm) and minus one star for having slow service. Hush puppies are soo good though.
(3)
scott d.
Don't be scared of this dive BBQ. The woman who runs the counter is super accommodating and friendly for a newbie like me. Food was soooo good, super tender, full of flavor. I got the rib and pork combo w Mac and greens....everything was superb. They even have some bottle beer too. Inside is a classic dive setting, not dirty but old....thank god I gave it a chance, this is the new GO TO! Steady lines of people coming in, no doubt the food is always fresh.
(5)
Brittany G.
The food is absolutely amazing!!!! Great portions and low price!! This is a gem! BBQ chicken tasted good. Got the macaroni an cheese and green beans as my 2 sides, and the flavors were brought to life! So glad I stopped here while visiting Durham!
(5)
Vanuchi E.
So delicious! This was such a great find - thank you Yelpers! It's a no frills BBQ spot with a small menu and EXCELLENT food! I had the pork and chicken combo, soooo good! The veggies sides were great too! Don't run when you get inside - it's not about the digs here - it's about the BBQ!
(5)
Kory T.
The BBQ sandwich was the best thing about this visit. The hush puppies, cabbage, and French fries were sub par. The Mac and cheese was ok. The bun was soggy and the food was a little cold. Overall, I say visit and see what man. Vs. Food is all about.
(3)
David B.
I came from out of town and wants local BBQ. Didn't disappoint. Food blew me away and customer service was an example of southern hospitality. Seems to be a local favorite.
(5)
Sheryl P.
I stopped in for lunch today around 1:30 and the line was out the door! They have the best pork BBQ in town. The Working Mans Special is a great deal- BBQ sandwich with 2 sides for $4.99. They also have great ribs and chicken. Sides taste just like my grandmother used to make--home cooking flavors - simple and delicious!
(5)
Drew B.
Don't let the exterior or everyone writing on the walls keep you away. BBQ pork plate and 2 sides for under 6.50 a plate. Mac and cheese is unreal. Authentic BBQ made the old fashioned way. I would have taken a picture but I was too busy stuffing my face. If you love southern food and authentic BBQ put this on your bucket list.
(5)
Acey B.
Enjoyed the Mac and cheese but the pulled pork sandwich was just OK. Very fast and very cheap though.
(3)
David A.
Good BBQ, not Great, but really good. Had the pulled pork brisket special with Mac and cheese and Brunswick Stew...never had Brunswick stew before, so 5 stars since I am a virgin. Pork was above average but I have had better (as in Smoque & the Pork Shop on Chicago, IL) and the brisket was great as well, but nothing over the top, good sides and 1 of 3 good sauces. As for price, I have had BBQ in Chicago for less, but I would still recommend this place, easy 4 stars, but far from 5
(4)
Kevin C.
Came here with some friends right before they closed. To our disappointment, the party right in front of us took every remaining meat besides the ribs. We were forced to get the expensive ribs. That being said... the ribs were quite spectacular. The meat was extremely tender and slid right off the bone. Combined with hush puppies, mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes, the meal was a great experience. The ambiance is kinda divey, but the food made up for it.
(4)
Dre D.
Heaven............................................Â........... I'm in Heaven!!!!! I'm from Brooklyn Newww Yawkkkk!!!! I came down to N.C. for a high school friends wedding... My.. oh... my.... I had the pleasure of devouring their: -Beef Brisket -Mac and Cheese -Sweet Potatoes -Hush Puppies The Brisket was so flavorful and each bite was so tender. It was like butter, effortless! The Mac and Cheese... One thing I hate about most Mac and Cheese.. is the watery base or the bland flavor.. Back Yard's Mac was rich in flavor, appearance. The Sweet Potatoes.... Now.. I've never tasted sweet potatoes like this before... they prepared it in this sweet glazed sauce... Lawd!!!!!!!! it was that moment when you want to keep eating even though you're full. The Hush Puppies.... I've had my share of hush puppies... but what I liked about this one was the crispness of it and the calm flavor. It was not sweet, which normally takes away from a meal. I would have kept thrown those back. It was so light and tasty! Mark my words.. if you are in the Durham N.C. area... and you're looking for a Bomb ass meal...... open that GPS app on your smart phone.. plug in that address above and do right by your mind and soul! This is legit one of theee best soul foods I've had. I'm a hard ass when it comes to diet and living well... but... When I'm in Durham.... I'm CHEATING!!!!! I posted a photo of my meal in my photos. (Feast your eyes on that) P.S.- This spot is in the hood! ..LMAO.. Don't come in here ready for fine dining or worried about what's in the food.... The establishment has graffiti all over the walls.. the tables look like your junior high school cafeteria.. nothing about the decor of this place will have you feeling amazed.. heck.. you might walk in the spot and think you're in the wrong place... BUT... trust Dre... you've arrived!! If it makes you feel any better.. take that TO GO! ENJOY!!! #approved
(5)
Michelle K.
This place is highly recommended if anyone is looking for a place with great barbecue for a great price. I had the pulled pork sandwich with collards and macaroni and cheese. The meat was excellent, not too dry but not too soggy, and the sides were delicious as well. Cool atmosphere and great food.
(5)
Lori R.
You want to treat out-of-towners to a TRUE Southern experience? Take 'em here. Your arteries start clogging the minute you walk in the joint! Everyone loved the pork bbq, and the brisket was very much liked by the one in our group who got it. The pork bbq looked very good, but I'd had a bunch of pork recently, so I went with chicken, mac n cheese and collards. Collards were tender and very tasty...they sure weren't the low-fat version I make at home. Again, the real thing. The mac n cheese that everyone else raves over, I found to be greasy and floppy and very cheesy. Not quite my thing (except for the cheesy part), but this is the way it's done down here, and they do Southern to a T! Chicken had a great smokey flavor, but I found it to be dry. Extra sauces come in handy. Food is served in styrofoam, divided containers. Servings are large. Love the sauces that are offered...all good! Service was very friendly. And for anyone worried about cleanliness, sanitation rating was 97. Soft drinks are in cans. I will say it was HOT in there. We went on a Saturday afternoon. And not that hot outside. Not sure if they have no AC, or it just wasn't working. They do have ceiling fans. So, if you need a true Southern bbq fix, done right...this is your place!
(4)
Chait K.
I've eaten at some pretty famous bbq spots in Memphis and Texas and even in Chappell hill etc... but this place has more character than all of them combined. From the writing on the wall, to the slow mildly rude service, to the no frills atmosphere and rundown look, this place exists simply because of the food and that's the way it ought to be. Yes there might be a few tourists but this is still a locale spot which is nice considering they were on with Guy Fierre diners dives and drive ins show and could have jacked up the prices. $4.99 worker plates are you serious?! The clientele are truly from all walks of life. Black, white, Asian, young and old, poor and well to do. This place is true Americana. It's real food made for real people not designed to sell as much meat as possible and take as much money out of your pocket as possible. Do yourself a favor and eat here.
(5)
Josh W.
This was my first visit to NC and after reading the rave reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. BBQ Turkey was AMAZING, even without the bbq sauce. However, once I tried the tangy sauce, I had to put it on EVERYTHING! Ribs were tender, green beans had great pork flavor, slaw mixed well with the turkey, and hush puppies dipped in BBQ sauce ... HEAVEN on Earth. This place easily deserves 5 stars and a visit if you are a BBQ fan. Arguably some of the best BBQ I have EVER had in the states ... and I've had BBQ in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, Missouri.
(5)
Miyoshi H.
The working man special is everything and for a great price. My only complaint was the bun. The bun takes away from the quality of a good sandwich. It was almost like the bread had been left open since some time last week. The food Mac-n-cheese was good and the candied yams were sweet. I would go again; however, I would get the sandwich.
(3)
Ho J.
The ribs were really tasty. Nice flavorful seasoning and really tender meat. The pork bbq was kind of bland. Maybe it needed salt? The fried okra was good too and the hush puppies were nice. The collards needed salt, at least for my palate. Which is weird since the ribs had such great seasoning.
(3)
Lauren R.
Wow! This place definitely wasn't what I expected. I was thinking an Allen & Sons-checkered-tablecloth-type place (I definitely think I skimmed other yelp reviews rather than reading them in full). It was instead a diner-like-aluminum-table-wooden-chair-type of place. Fine by me because the BBQ was great and the macaroni was heavenly. Plus, the pineapple lemonade was one of the best drinks I've had--it wasn't on the menu but so many reviews mentioned it that I shyly asked for it. The Food: * The BBQ was good. It was moist and tender. Some of the pieces were bigger than I'm used to (I've only started eating pork BBQ within the last year), but it was overall, some of the best I've had. About a tablespoon of the sauce went perfectly with it. * The pineapple lemonade was to die for! Seriously. It tasted fresh and refreshing (yes two "freshes" in one sentence). It was the perfect drink to go with BBQ. Pineapple chunks, a slightly tangy flavor. Amazing. * The macaroni was awesome. I may have lucked out by standing in line for so long because they put a fresh tray out there a person or two before I ordered. It was creamy and cheesy and gooey without being flavorless (a problem I've found too often with macaroni). It was the perfect tray-cooked macaroni--honestly, I'd go back just for the macaroni and cheese. Like some other reviews said, however, I can see the last bit from the pan not being as great as the piping hot stuff that I was lucky enough to get. * The green beans were good. Not amazing, but a solid semi-healthy addition to my otherwise not-so-healthy plate. I didn't have a strong preference for my last side, so I just asked the man at the counter what was best and ended up with green beans. Perfect--what I would have ordered anyway. I'd recommend them against the macaroni for a little balance and a little green. The Service: What I wasn't expecting was an order-at-the-counter from premade bins of food considering the great reviews. But, to make clear, that's what you do. It was hectic--6:30pm on a Friday night when I stopped by. I definitely felt out of place in a suit because the atmosphere was decidedly casual. Someone from behind the counter kept calling out "who needs something fried?" over and over (I take it they fry things to order, even if they scoop the BBQ out of a tray). The line moved slowly. I definitely waited between 15 and 20 minutes, and I was a bit surprised because, for the third time, they just make the BBQ plates/sides from pre-cooked trays behind the counter. It was definitely some of the slowest service I've ever seen (no one else there--unlike me--was in a hurry). Although everyone was nice, the inexplicable slowness bumps it down to four stars. The Atmosphere: This is super-casual. Grafitti all over the walls. Tables and chairs that don't match. I definitely don't mind that...but what bothered me is that the stand where you get your napkins, plastic forks, and BBQ sauce was in the middle of the restaurant, right by the line. Therefore, there's a constant mess of people in the middle of the restaurant. Also, there are three plastic squeeze bottles of BBQ sauce in this middle stand--and that's the only in the restaurant. The bottles looked heavily used and not-all-that-sanitary. I used them anyway and was fine, but a different method for distributing sauce would be nice. Overall, highly recommend for some great macaroni and BBQ. Excited to have some yummy food to look forward to on the way back and forth between Raleigh and Durham!
(4)
Rob F.
It was as good as I hoped it would be! Try all the meats! They don't even need sauces! Mac n cheese is outstanding! Don't be afraid of the appearance. All the effort is in the food! Bathrooms are a dirty but this is legit North Carolina BBQ at its best! Don't forget to write on the wall ;)
(5)
Eric S.
This place is amazing. The pulled pork is the best I've ever had. The ribs and sides are also really good. It's relatively inexpensive as well. Don't be turned off by the fact that it's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, it's all part of the charm!
(5)
Jareth R.
The best BBQ ribs ever had the mac cheese was excellent and the HUSH PUPPIES are out this world i had try Kansas style we went Arthur Bryant's Barbeque and it sucks!!! BACKYARD BBQ pit win First Place. Place does not look very appealing but the ribs make for it.
(5)
Dustin E.
Not even average - Meats okay, sides pretty good, hushpuppies were really bad, portions small to average. Cafeteria style- so they just scoop it up right in front of you. I won't go back and wouldn't recommend. Too many other good places.
(2)
Ronnie B.
Absolutely the best! Great staff too. Brisket and the pulled pork are out of this world.
(5)
Rachel H.
Not a bad local find! My friend and I ordered ribs, chicken, brisket, mac and cheese, collard greens, hush puppies, and the pineapple lemonade. Upsides The ribs and brisket was very tender and fell off the bone nicely. The brisket was a bit too fatty for my liking, but it was still tender and delicious. No complaints about the sides! They were delish! Generous with the BBQ sauce- you definitely don't need to get an extra container of it. Service and staff are nice and friendly. Downside The menu is not very user friendly. The list of sides are listed on this old sign above their service counter and not all the sides listed are always available. For example, I wanted okra, which they didn't have at time. The menu doesn't show that you can order combination platters. My friend had to ask for the brisket plate with a side of chicken, which we heard rung up as a combo. It would've been nice to know that is an option, rather than questioning it. The chicken was overcooked. It was a bit on the mushy side. It still tasted good, but we would've preferred the meat to be more tender rather than just than mushy. Hygiene- the hole in the wall atmosphere is not an issue, but I don't think the staff clean the tables regularly. The utensils are laid out in the middle of the restaurant and it looks like people drop sauce, food, and whatever else on them. Pineapple lemonade was waaaay too sweet. Maybe its a southern thing to have really sweet drinks (I keep thinking how tea here is just served sweet, rather than plain), but I couldn't handle the lemonade too well. Final Answer I would really give this place a 3.5 stars, but because of the downsides, I have to round down a little. It's not bad and as you southerners say- Y'all come back now!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Don S.
Have you ever wanted to experience the greatest food known to man? Look no further, your quest is complete if you stop in. Don't judge a book by its cover, this place doesn't look the part as the greatest BBQ on earth, it's rough around the edges but once you get your BBQ you won't care what this place looks like. I mean after all, why would you take your eyes off the plate of heaven anyway? If you want smoky goodness, if you want meats that are juicy and full of pure flavor with the sides to match, this is your place. I've traveled all the way from Seattle just to have lunch here, no joke!
(5)Thomas R.
Like I said in my previous review this place looks rough, it's a dive in every sense of the word. To me that is part of the charm of this place. After trying much more of Backyard's menu and many other BBQ places in the triangle I can definitively say this is the best BBQ restaurant in the triangle. You may disagree with that statement depending on your preferred BBQ style, but you cannot disagree with the authentic southern cooking and perfect sides this place offers in addition to BBQ. That is what makes Backyard so much better than the rest, they focus just as much on sides, hush puppies, and sauces as other places do on just their BBQ. Backyard has a very large menu. They have BBQ pork, BBQ chicken, BBQ turkey, pork ribs, Brisket, fried chicken, pork chops, fried fish (catfish, flounder, and whiting), and fried shrimp. The southern cooking abilities shine through their sides. No one can beat their hush puppies, Backyard is the only place that I've been to that doesn't use frozen ones (the dense hush puppies that look like a curled up thumb). I refuse to believe you can find a place in the area that has better collard greens, mac n'cheese, or Brunswick stew. Their collards are my all time favorite, and the perfect companion to any pork or beef you can get here. I really like their coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad too. Everything here is unique and not run of the mill at all. Their hot sauce and vinegar BBQ sauce are great, but the sweet BBQ is the best I've ever had, and I cannot even put a finger on what they use in it...it's so different than anywhere else. The thing that I love the most about this place is the price. They are one of the cheapest BBQ places in the area and they blow places twice as expensive out of the water. I love their pulled pork and pork chop, but their fried fish is amazing and you get a huge portion too (fair warning the fish and shrimp is made to order, so be prepared to wait, and some days they run out of or just don't have shrimp or a certain type of fish). The fried chicken is excellent here, perfectly crispy and juicy (again it's made to order, so you will have to wait a bit). Backyard BBQ is the best type of comfort food and there is something on the menu that will get you hooked on this place. They are always super busy and they don't have a ton of dining space. I recommend coming early or late for either lunch or dinner rushes, and if worse comes to worse they are great for take out.
(5)Michael U.
Taking a break from breakfast to tour Cameron Indoor just a day after Duke's dramatic win over UNC it was onward to the first of two lunches that the dining adventure progressed and arriving just after 1:00pm to a space where the writing is literally 'on the walls' it was clear that the folks of Durham had missed their 'cue during the previous weather related two-day closure, nearly every seat in Backyard BBQ Pit filled with a small line just barely ending inside the doors. Undoubtedly a place where the food is more motivating that the décor, a discolored ceiling and tube lighting overseeing Formica tables that proved tightly spaced and rickety at best, it was with my mother waiting out a table that she had to clean off herself that I entered the quickly moving queue and soon standing at the counter it was with $13.99 paid that a "2 Meat and 2 Sides" tray was assembled, the pork an obvious choice while the turkey was promoted by the man beyond the counter as 'out of sight.' Featuring plating and utensils as upscale as one would expect from the steamy, sharpie-stained space it was no less than a few minutes after settling the tab that first bites were taken and although the pork at first seemed a bit too heavily vinegared subsequent bites revealed themselves as more balanced with even a bit of smoke peaking through at times, though certainly not as much as was the case with the surprisingly moist turkey that easily stole the show as neither sides nor the cornbread nuggets were particularly memorable save for the fact that the yams were essentially inedible amidst all the sweet glaze.
(3)PJ S.
BBQ so good, it'll make you disrespect your Grandmother. As a resident of Eastern North Carolina for the last 10 years, I have learned to love and critique southern barbecue. Backyard BBQ Pit is the real deal my friends. This place is unapologetic in appearance and rightly deserves to be that way with the damn good food that they provide. No frills or fanciness here. Just delicious, greasy, southern hospitality in the form of barbecue and fixins I had the Pulled Pork & Smoked Chicken combo platter, with Mac N Cheese & Green Beans. Honestly, the Hush Puppies alone would've made me slap my Grandmother. For the rest of the food, it was wonderful. You just have to try it. Really.
(5)Jonathan D.
I come here at least once a month to get my fix for NC-style BBQ. Humble venue and simple side dishes but the BBQ and fried fish are stellar. No hype, just good BBQ.
(4)Bradd N.
I use to work close by and would visit very often. Their staff is very nice and their food is unbelievably good. I asked them for a recipe once and they said they'd tell me but then they'd have to kill me. HAHA!!! Whether you're a resident of Durham or just passing through, this place is a must visit.
(5)Brian K.
Four trips to North Carolina in 5 months and each one of those trips required Backyard BBQ Pit for my sanity. This place is legit. Legit as in slap-yo-mama, good ole Southern BBQ. It's 100% non-pretentious. It's not yuppie BBQ. There is no kale here. Neither will you find flax seed. Gluten? Bring it on baby. Paleo? Um, yeah, whatever, sure- the meat is paleo but the greasy mac and cheese will probably put your paleo panties in a tailspin. What am I trying to say? What's my message? If you have any kind of dietary restrictions, do yourself (and us) a favor and go to Wendy's or Chick-Fil-A across the street. For the rest of us, prepare yoself. Prepare for juicy BBQ. Embrace the fattiness of their moist brisket (this is the only time "moist" should ever be used in a sentence). The sides? Nothing short of dragging you down in a food-wasted stupor. The "chopped" is good but I've always stuck to the brisket. It hasn't failed me yet here. The only thing that fails are my eyes about 2 hours after my last bite. They droop like Ashlee Simpson's lazy eye. The sides are "homey". As in, they're simple. It's not necessarily inferior but some people may find them to be too simple for their tastes. Most of you are used to overly salted food when going out and that's the big secret- salt (in many kitchens) so if you think it's "meh", then just add salt. Those green beans seem like vegetables? Yeah sure, they're drowned in fatty flavor and so are the collard greens. If you want to fit in, when you order them, just say "collards" not "collard greens". It's like, for those of you that have had the pleasure of having a cheesesteak in Philly, you ask for a "cheesesteak" and not a "Philly cheesesteak". If you want ice in the Antarctica, you ask for "ice" not "Eskimo ice". You get the picture =) The mac and cheese is a greaseball- very good but there seems to be more of an oil pool on their mac and cheese than from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. All in all, good southern BBQ
(5)Dixon S.
Drove up and although the place is not much too look at, the food was beyond killer and the prices were awesome for quality and quantity of food. I tried the $6.49 BBQ plate with Shredded Pork, Mac N' Cheese and Green Beans, all of which were to die for. My wife had the BBQ plate as well, but with Turkey, Sweet Potatoes and BBQ Beans. We sampled each others plates and I can honestly say everything was as advertised, great food at great prices!
(5)Mike W.
This is a couple days after Yahoo declared this the "best BBQ in NC" - so the place is mobbed. Is it? No. If you want the best eastern style, you'll head to Skylight or Wilbers. If you want the best western style, it's BBQ Center or Lexington #1. If you want the best Q near to the Triangle, you are going out to Stephensons. What this is, it's a great lunch stop if you are local. The Q is heavily chopped, the brisket is soaking in sauce, and the ribs have very clearly NOT been entirely smoked, they are too soggy for that. But, for what it is, the meats are good, and the sides are better. In fact, the sides are as solid as any place I've been - it reminds me a lot of the old Mitchell's in Wilson. Don't come here and leave with the impression that this represents the best Q in NC (at least not in my opinion), but really for the money, and my rib plate cost me $11, it was a good value and certainly not a skimpy amount of food. Worth a stop.
(3)Chris S.
Welcome to your new favorite bbq place. It has been said that the best barbecue joints are not in fancy locations, but rather in unassuming strip malls, eye-sore shacks, and side-of-the-road holes. Backyard BBQ Pit ("Backyard") is a gritty, sticky, worn-out mess of a restaurant. But like your favorite dive bar, this just validates what Backyard is all about. When you arrive at Backyard, there is lots of front and parking amongst the potholes. During dinner time, the lots is full. When you open the door, you will be immediately greeted by the backs of the other patrons who are patiently lining up and trying not to spill out into the parking lot. You order at the counter that focuses on its sticky ribs, eastern north carolina-style pork, chicken and some other delicious meats. There are specials, which often include fried shrimp and/or different types of fish. The fish is fried to-order so it comes out hot and crispy rather than batch-cooked. All meals comes with 2 sides, which is the greatest hits of North Carolina - stew, beans, collards, sweet potatoes, fries, potato salad, green beans, coleslaw, and others. Despite only having a single counter, they pack in a lot of options. And all meals come with 3 lovingly spooned out hushpuppies, that look like someone - not something - made them. Service is strictly counter service into styrofoam containers with plastic spoons and a fist full of napkins. But don't confuse cheap with sloppy. Food is skillfully put into the plate hallows, not just slopped in. A nice touch is putting the puppies on starched service paper on top of your food so they stay crispy rather than drowning in your plate. And service is done with gloves and messy bins are handled with service paper to keep your order clean. I had the BBQ plate with mac and collards. The puppies were a nice balance of crunchy and chewy without being too sweet. The collards were smokey, firm yet tender, and one of the finest I have ever had. The mac and cheese was heavenly gooey and clearly not slopped together. The bbq was moist, tender, wonderfully spicy, vaguely sweet, and twangy from the apple cider vinegar in the Eastern NC style. And when you check out, naturally the soda machine is broken. It couldn't be any other way. But Ms. Michelle cheerfully rings you up. The prices are really cheap. My plate was $6.49 (before tax). The portions were generous. It is a perfect place to take away. And the service was polite, prompt despite the very long lines, and cheery. And by the look of the line nearly out the door and Ms. Michelle saying "HEEEEY! Good to see you again!", you can tell that this dive BBQ joint is something special to many other people. Hopefully, Ms. Michelle will soon be chirping HEEEEY when she sees me because I plan on going back as much as possible.
(5)Shawn J.
I was so disapointed. I was told that this is the best BBQ in Durham. I really hope that's not true. The place looks like a dump. It has dim lighting, graffiti all over the walls in the inside and the whole place was dirty. It made the place look so trashy, and the food tastes horrible neither of us finished what we ordered and we didn't even bother to keep the leftovers. Do not eat here.
(1)Shane C.
Best BBQ (pork) I've ever had! After living in the south for several years and traveling all over the U.S. this is as good as it gets. Do yourself a favor and get the pork and Mac and cheese. Line was out the door and parking lot completely full when I got here. Plan accordingly at lunch time.
(5)Rose L.
Like some of my other yelper friends, it's hard for me to cast foodie judgement upon Backyard BBQ. If you're looking for a grungy BBQ spot where the door hits you on the bum on the way in (more figuratively then literally) this place might be your spot. Walls filled with compliments from all the satisfied people so you know people like the place, but in my opinion, it's a little off from the BBQ I usually go for. I have to agree with everyone else that the service is stellar. Of course, you only interact with them during the initial order. After entering the doors, the menu is directly in front and you'll usually have some time to glance at it as there's (commonly) a line of people in front of you. The food is lined up in a buffet style (only you're not serving yourself). The idea of food sitting in hot plates has never wowed me, and always gives slight hesitation for stomach issues. I tried the BBQ plate with pulled pork, mac and cheese and sweet potatoes (served with hush puppies as well!) and my lunch date tried the rib plate. Overall, food tasted good, the mac and cheese was overly oily and the sweet potatoes were fine. The ribs were more on the fatty side which isn't my favorite. Overall, the food was fine but didn't WOW me. I was also disappointed that the only condiments available were in giant bottles with the silverware and there were no small cups to put sauces in. Individual bottles on tables would be nice or tiny cups so you have a chance to taste the variety of sauces (I feel like that's a big deal in NC?! I'm no native so correct me if I'm wrong). Obviously people like Backyard BBQ Pit because they keep going back, maybe I hit them on a bad day or maybe my expectations are too high. Either way, I'd give it another shot but am going to try to get my BBQ fix at a couple other places before I rush back.
(3)Erica T.
The food is delicious. Dine in experience sucks: no AC, the front door is kept open to cool the restaurant, which welcomes flies; the tables and seats were dirty. The staff was friendly, however, and the price was fair. The hush puppies-a little light skinned (under done?). I'm not from the area, but if I were, I would probably give it a second chance. Hope this feedback inspires positive changes. I advocate the success of small businesses.
(4)Matt K.
This is the definition of a hole in the wall, no pretense, good ole family BBQ joint. Two sides to try are the beans and the mac n cheese. There are other good sides, too, but these are my favorites. Our most recent trip featured a line of 20+ people to the door. The line moved swiftly though as the staff was bustin' it to get everyone served. My rib plate was slathered with sauce, but my ribs were a little too tough. I would avoid ribs next time and opt for something else. They have great sweet tea, too.
(4)Nancy S.
If you grew up in NC, appreciate NC style BBQ and "southern cooking like grandma used to make" look no further. You will not be bothered by the dive appearance any more than you minded Grandma's decor as a kid. If you want fancy dining and a sweet tomato sauce BBQ that must be chewed forever go somewhere else and leave this gem for NC BBQ fans...
(5)Christine W.
Wonderful little local joint! My husband and I both ate the BBQ sandwich plate for lunch. It was fantastic! My favorite part was the BBQ beans, they had the most unique flavor (kinda tastes like Christmas ^_^). The staff are all really sweet and the food was really well priced (I don't know why it has $$ because our bill with two plates and a drink came to $12 after tax). If you are in Durham, give this place a spin!!
(5)Michelle S.
Everyone got to try their pork... It so tender and delicious... I just loved their sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with their sweet corn and out of this world potato salad... Actually, all their sides are good, from the collard greens, white potatoes to their green beans.. So yummy!!
(5)Kate W.
Kinda a dive but the best BBQ around and reasonably priced. BBQ pork is great as is the Super cheesy Mac and cheese. Collard greens and Cole slaw r great as well
(4)Phil C.
Got off the plane late afternoon, checked into my hotel, but was rather famished since I didn't have lunch that day. So I grabbed a friend and decided to try Backyard, based on Yelp recommendations. No, I didn't know about Backyard's appearance on "Man v. Food" until the server at the restaurant showed his t-shirt, boasting about television exposure. I went for the chopped BBQ/rib combo with Brunswick stew and mac n' cheese for sides. They ran out of fried okra, which was unfortunate. The ribs weren't the largest, but for the seemingly lack of quantity, there was quality. The sauce wasn't overly sweet yet flavorful. The ribs themselves were fall-off-the-bone and flavorful. You won't need a knife with that. The chopped pork was good, but you do need to help it out with either the restaurant's BBQ sauce. The Brunswick stew was a bit sweet, so I don't think I'll go for that again. Other than that, it had a good consistency. The mac n'cheese was a little greasy but I liked the cheesy flavor to it. The hush puppies were crispy on the outside, pretty soft on the inside with a sweet note to it. Maybe I'm used to overpriced BBQ where I'm at, but the prices seemed rather reasonable here. Service was quick, but pleasant enough. At the chair I was to sit in, there was a hole in the floor, as opposed to the wall, which had signatures/messages from a variety of people. It ain't pretty here, but aren't a lot of the good ones not?
(4)Kam K.
So excited to try this place since the review are so good. I really want to try the samples but when I ask for it, they don't know what I'm talking about. So disappointed didn't get to try everything, even the pull pork. Definitely didn't get no southern hospitality here. Overall the food is good, but not the service
(3)Kate L.
Came here last week. It was so good I dragged the whole office with me this week. New Friday tradition.
(5)Myron B.
This was everything I expected and more on flavor. The atmosphere is very family friendly and the food was authentic NC barbecue.
(5)Franz F.
Wow, wow and wow! That is what I found myself saying throughout this meal. Jeez, I had the rib plate with Mac and collard greens. It was simply delicious. Trust! Best BBQ I have had. I'm not into Mac and cheese but it was crazy good. It's time to go into a coma now.
(4)Jon S.
I came from some authentic NC 'que and the Backyard BBQ pit did not disappoint. I was a little bit wary about this joint as I rolled up on it because it is in the middle of a typical Interstate exit commercial area. When I saw the little sign and the partial gravel parking lot I started feeling better. The deal was sealed, though, when I walked in the door and saw the menu hanging from a clothesline with homemade snapshots taking the place of more traditional POS images. The folks behind the counter looked authentic and there were quite a few people in line that knew their BBQ. I wanted to some different stuff so I ordered the Chopped Pork Plate with ribs, slaw, and mac and cheese. I also got an extra side of Brunswick Stew. TBH, the ribs, slaw, and mac and cheese were OK. The ribs were meaty, done well, with just the right amount of sauce, but they were a little too much work to get off the bone. You have probably had the mac and cheese at every church covered dish dinner you have ever been to. The slaw was cold, well chopped, and a nice complement to the pork. All three of these items were good and you won't be disappointed, but you won't go out of your way to come here for them. The Brunswick Stew was a little too salty for my taste and they put a big ole chunk of tater in my bowl that took up about half the portion. I only wanted a taste anyway, but I would have been disappointed if I had really wanted the stew. There was a nice mixture of corn, green beans, potatoes, and shredded pork. The chopped pork, however, was DELICIOUS and definitely worth going back for. That wonderful vinegar taste, the mix of colors with the smoke ring, the tenderness, the toughness of the outside portions - all were excellent. If you are going to be average in some places and amazing in others, I would vote to be amazing on your 'cue every time. The folks behind the counter were courteous - not overly friendly, but courteous just the same - and they were nice enough to throw a piece of white bread on my player upon request. While Backyard BBQ Pit is not worth a long trek to get to, it won't disappoint you if you are nearby (within 15 minutes) and in the mood for some real NC Barbecue.
(3)Jon T.
We have been devotees of Backyard for several years and will continue to be. We always make room in our schedule to eat here when we fly in to RDU for a North Carolina visit. I am dropping a star for now. Our most recent visit, while good, showed some inconsistency. My pork barbecue was distinctly salty, really too much. If someone had gone on my recommendation and experienced this, they would not have been happy with the experience or with me. On this night they did not have collards, which I always like, so I had fried cabbage. It was good as usual. I also like their baked style mac 'n' cheese. The people remain as friendly as ever and we will certainly be back many more times. I hope the salty barbecue is not a change in approach and just a little quality control slip. They have built a lot of credit with me so will have fall a lot further to drop off our favorites list. This is such a great place for no frills southern cooking. I will keep that star handy and hope to pin it back on some time soon.
(4)Stasia K.
A friendly dive that smells delicious upon entering. I opted for the BBQ pork plate with the baked beans and collard greens. The pork was moist and tender. The baked beans were a bit too heavy on the molasses for my taste, but the collards were perfect. I also recommend the fried okra that have a hint of spice it seems in the batter. I found the hush puppies to be too doughy with not enough onion flavor. The line was long, and cafeteria style, but the food was worth the wait for sure.
(4)Michael H.
This is the perfect hole in the wall BBQ place. You don't go for the decor. You go for the BBQ. I had a pulled pork meal with green beans and mac & cheese. The star of the show was the pulled pork. Great stuff.
(5)William T.
Their BBQ is some of the best in NC. I highly recommend this spot for really good home style eats
(4)Valerie G.
BEST BBQ EVER (ssshhhh...my Dallas fiance doesn't need to know this....) We stopped by at 3pm on a Saturday and there was still a line - great sign! We had the 2 meats - 2 sides meal with hush puppies and of course, 1 sweet tea for my Southern beau. The owner (I'm assuming) at the register was the SWEETEST! She asked us if we ever had the lemonade, which of course we answered "no" since this was our first time in NC, and she gave us a huge one on the house! So nice! It's definitely acts like this that stand out. The ribs were fall off the bone, lip-smacking delicious! The brisket was delicious too but I'm not a big normal brisket gal (moist all the way!). The mac n cheese was divine - and I don't even usually like mac! Standout meal for sure!
(5)Mr. D.
This was my 4th time eating here. I decided to try their fried pork chop plate this time. All I can say is the meal was a slam dunk! The pork chop was cooked to order and well worth the wait. The pork chop was big and well seasoned with a crisp coating. This place makes the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten at a restaurant. The collard greens were perfect. The food and service is excellent as always. I get my money's worth and I definitely will be returning.
(5)Mike D.
Delicious! Was here with a friend several months ago and I have been looking forward to coming back. I had the "working man's special". The pork sandwich was great. Had a little BBQ sauce on the side but honestly it was great with and without. The Mac and cheese was really really good. The coleslaw - some of the best I've had. Ever. No exaggeration. Come eat here!
(5)Andrew B.
Excellent bbq and mac and cheese, sweet tea and lemonade, hushpuppies. Guaranteed to make you fall asleep within 10 minutes of consumption for only $5! If you like bbq, check this place out
(5)Rogelio D.
So good I had to sign up for Yelp and write my first Yelp review! This place has not only the best BBQ Food I have ever had but I think this just might be the best food I've ever had period. I had the BBQ Rib Plate which came with two giant, well seasoned, tender and juicy ribs with a layer of THE BEST pulled work I have ever had in my life. I had the Mac and Cheese side with the Sweet Potatoes- they were both, again, among the best I've ever had. I went on New Years eve when they were busy and even then it was still an in-and-out experience with little wait time. I completely recommend this spot to satisfy your BBQ needs. It is unreal.
(5)Christina L.
I'll talk about the great first. The place deserves five stars for food. The pulled pork and the hush puppies are freakin divine I mean so damn good. I also had the Mac and cheese my third fave and the beans which were alright they had a really cinnamon taste I've never tasted in beans before. The food is damn good and totally worth it. When you pull up to the place it looks like a dump straight up trash. The inside at first looked the same, but grew on me as did the outside. But don't judge a book by its cover is all I have to say about that. Now the only reason I didn't give it five stars is the service. The two gentlemen one bigger man and one shorter skinny one was servicing food. By the time we got up to the counter the bigger gentleman the one I would have rather helped me went to the back to help presumably. The shorter skinny one was rude when we asked if more Mac and cheese was being made and ignored us for other customers. He is the reason for four stars. The lady who rang us out was sweet and assured us shed get us our Mac and cheese. Overall a great place to eat. Unique taste and a very unique atmosphere.
(4)Cheryl R.
For the price, this place is great. It is north carolina bbq at it's best. I ate bbq chicken, brunswick stew, hush puppies and green beans. The place looks like a dive with writing all over the walls, but the food makes up for the ambiance. I have been here before and I plan on going back again. Best BBQ around.
(5)Mihail D.
Don't worry about the atmosphere or state of the joint. The food will make you forget it. I'm not a big barbecue person because I generally dislike it. However this place has without a doubt some of the best barbecue and sauce I've ever had. And while I probably don't need to mention it, yes - best hush puppies you'll likely ever have. The sweet tea is absolutely on point as well. Throw in friendly staff and I'll certainly be back.
(5)alex d.
While the inside might initially seem a bit run down or dingy, don't appearances fool you. This place is the best barbecue I have ever had. There was nothing they didn't do excellently. I got the rib plate and the ribs literally slid off the bone. They were incredibly tender and absolutely delicious. The Mac and cheese was flavorful and had some baked cheese on top that gave a delicious texture. And the slaw...absolutely amazing. It was just creamy enough to provide a palette cleansing sensation. The workers were friendly and honestly, the place feels more homey than dirty. Would absolutely recommend!
(5)George I.
Heard about this place and had to go. Don't judge the place based on looks. You just have to try it. The beef brisket is tender, the pork ribs are off the hook and the fried flounder made the whole experience worth it. We went during dinner hours. I don't recommend going at this time. The line began at the door. By the time we sat down to enjoy our food, the line was was wrapped around the restaurant. Good food!!
(5)James H.
Good little place for good BBQ. 1st time visiting here and read all the reviews and had to try it for myself. Will visit again the next time I'm in the area. Will try the ribs.
(4)Lauren D.
My boyfriend and I have passed by this place several times in our comings and goings. Finally, on Wednesday, we stopped in. And we will be back. Oh yes, we will be back. For food- this place gets a solid 4 stars. I had the chopped turkey, with green beans, yams, and hush puppies. He got the rib plate with mac and cheese and green beans. The green beans had come from a can at some point but you could hardly tell. They were perfectly seasoned, stewed, and flavored. The turkey was juicy and flavorful and that was before I added their homemade sauce to it. As far as Eastern Carolina sauces go, this one had a lot of chili flakes in there but instead of making the sauce hot it helped balance the flavors to give it a bit of heat that I haven't experienced at other barbecue places before. At this point, I began to fall in love. The boyfriend's mac and cheese was perfect, we did not have any of the oily-ness that I have read about in other reviews. His ribs though were only OK. My yams were inedible and tasted like a can of corn syrup had been dropped in them. What will make me go back to try it again is the hushpuppies. I can honestly say that these are the lightest, crispiest, and tastiest hushpuppies I have had in the Triangle. They had an airy quality to them I have not experienced anywhere else. That being said, if you are looking for a place that has atmosphere than this place has the atmosphere that you would get if you lived in Sunnyvale Trailer Park. But as someone who was practically raised in a trailer park myself, I can't bring myself to care. The staff is friendly, the patrons are friendly, and the food is damn good. So good, he went back for dinner again the next night.
(4)Connie L.
Best bbq in durham hands down! In comparison: Qshack hushpuppies are better (personal opinion) The pit in durham=awful I got the pork bbq with sweet potatoes/yams and collard greens. The pork was so juicy tender and delicious (unlike the pit which is always so dry and flavorless) The sides were also delicious and I'm not even a fan of collard greens! Friends loved the Mac and cheese too I had leftovers to take home and it was even more delicious later! I was hesitant to try this dingy looking place but its literally the best tasting BBQ I have had in NC so far. Yes there are flies and it's not the cleanest looking place and you wait in line like a school cafeteria but the food speaks for itself:)
(5)Michael R.
This is some excellent BBQ. Real Eastern Carolina. Not sure where the backyard is. You walk in and the graffiti is all over every wall. Surprisingly we tried the beef with the potatoes (as they advised) and it was a total treat. Besides the chopped BBQ, this is recommended. Lacks spice and the service can be a bit mixed up, but fine overall. Also, the sweet tea rocked!
(4)Marsha K.
Omg all I can say is that food was amazing. We had the brisket mouth watering and tender.. The ribs were excellent.. If you are in the area I say stop in and try it for yourself..
(5)Christopher M.
Stopped in for lunch and got the " working man's special " . Pulled pork sandwich with 2 sides for $4.99. What a great deal. I asked for a sampler of the ribs and they were kickin. The sides I got were potato salad and bbq beans. Good also. The place was so ghetto but so good.
(4)Bethany F.
Love the pulled turkey BBQ and all of the sides are amazing. Mac-n-cheese is especially delicious! All of the great reviews speak for themselves!
(5)Zina G.
Delicious friend chicken, flounder and mac and cheese! I was a little skeptical from the looks but the food is one point. Don't be deterred by the place, definitely worth a try :)
(5)Critical R.
Great BBQ. Not traditional Carolina - sweeter non-vinegar sauce. The ribs are incredibly tender and good (I ate them with a fork it was so fall off the bone) and sandwiches are good and CHEAP. Only reason they get a 4 and not a 5 is that I was not impressed with the sides. Hush puppies were not very good, mac n cheese was too greasy and lacked flavor, although sweet potatoes and string beans were respectable.
(4)Bruce C.
Had to upgrade my rating after visiting a few more times, recently. A $5 BBQ sandwich + 2 sides is unbeatable. You won't get a better value for your $ anywhere else.The flavor and tenderness of the sauce and meat is excellent!
(5)Mary D.
A typical run of the mill BBQ place. Slightly long line with a cafeteria style setting. The staff was so helpful in selecting food. I decided to have the workman's special, which is their pork sandwich with coleslaw. There Mac & Cheese was so good, but their sweet potatoes was extremely delicious. My daughter is a picky eater, and she ended up eating most of the plate with me. I will definitely come back!!
(4)Melissa B.
This is the best food ever! I always get the same thing. Pulled pork and brisket with a side of Mac and cheese and candied yams. I'm borderline licking the plate. Don't forget to add the pineapple lemonade.
(5)Dexter P.
The barbecue was regular. Nothing glowing about the food. The best thing I had was the sweet tea/lemonade mix and greens. The candid yams was not good and had a biter taste, the worse I've had and I'm born and raised in the south. I know good barbecue and soul food! The ribs were ok but full of fat and the chopped pork was dry and average. The meal cost $17 and I left this place feeling like I didn't get my money worth. The place is a total dive and it's time for the owners to invest in improving the appearance of this place!
(3)Gabriel C.
Came here about an hour before closing to order their brisket (4/5) and ribs (5/5) with sides of potato salad (3/5), collard greens (3/5), buttered corn (3/5), and hush puppies (3/5) The brisket was quite tender and drenched in a slightly sour/vinegary sauce, while the ribs were (again) tender meat which fell right off the bone, but drenched in a more "traditional" bbq sauce. Absolutely delicious and I've got plans to come back to try out other menu like the catfish!
(3)Mark G.
The sauces are very good. Likes the Carolina style, one of my favs. Mac n cheese is delicious and how it should be made, the greens are tender, you can tell they were cooked slow, and taste very good. The hush puppies are a must try, fried cornmeal type of thing for rookies. The BBQ is excellent, pork ribs where awesome and the brisket was delicious as well. I'd say the pork is the big thing around these parts if you want to try only one meat. Good BBQ experience here.
(5)Terry S.
Great stuff. Got the pulled pork and the brisket. I've never not needed to put extra sauce on pulled pork before -- this stuff was dynamite exactly as served.
(5)Eddie L.
This place is better than the other Pit with barbecue that costs 5x more. The mac and cheese is AMAZING. Order a plate for less than $10 and then get two mac and cheese sides, and you're set for a meal and a half!
(5)Steven L.
visit on 7/18/2011 More of a soul food restaurant than a bbq spot. As such the bbq is good, but not great. Pork sandwich was moist and tasty. While some enjoyed the ribs as being "fall off the bone," I felt that the meat had become much too soft to the extent of being almost mushy. BBQ ribs, in my opinion needs to have some chew to it. This did not. The hush puppies along with their other sides were pretty good though. This would be very good 'que in most other states, but I just don't think it holds up against the best in this BBQ state of NC.
(3)Justin P.
Fresh! Authentic! Tasty! These are all some words I would use to describe the Backyard BBQ Pit. The Backyard BBQ Pit is a small restaurant off of Highway 55 and is the only BBQ restaurant in Durham to have an open pit fire to cook the BBQ. Cooking the BBQ in the pit is the only way for the meat to be tender and come right off the bone. I got the BBQ sandwich that is made from their delicious chopped BBQ. It's the perfect meal because it tastes amazing, and you don't have to empty your wallet because it is not all that expensive. Plus you get to add on 2 of their homemade sides. All of their sides are delicious and seem to be homemade. I got the mac and cheese and their yams. The mac and cheese is greasy and oily, but in a good way! The yams are great for kids because it is so sweet; it's like a dessert. However, it gives them a vegetable intake, which is good. The yams are super tasty. If you don't want BBQ or don't like BBQ, you can always get their juicy ribs or the amazing seafood. The Backyard BBQ Pit is one of the best places for BBQ because everything is better when it's in your backyard.
(5)Shawn T.
The pulled pork, hushpuppies, greens....everything was great!
(5)Cathy W.
Don't let the outside appearance fool you or steer you away! We weren't sure about the place when we pulled up, but I'm so glad we went inside. I felt a little out of place, as we were somewhat dressed up for the Yelp DPAC Hair event... but no one looked at us funny or made us feel weird. The menu is pretty limited and it's all posted on the board. You go up to the counter and it's like cafeteria-style... the guys were super nice and very understanding when we took a little time to figure out what to order. My husband and I both got the ribs and mac-n-cheese, and then he got the okra and I got the stew potatoes. We were going to order Cokes to drink and someone in front of us got a pineapple lemonade, so we both figured to try that instead. It wasn't cold enough for my liking (even after sitting for 20 minutes in a styrofoam cup of ice) but it was delicious. It has a very unique look inside, there are signatures all over the walls, and I guess that's what makes it a unique place to dine. All in all it was great and I'd come back again! My favorite place for BBQ is still the Pit in Raleigh, but this was a close runner-up!
(4)Tracy H.
Amazing food. My favorite things were the collard greens and Brunswick stew. Both probably the best I've ever had.
(5)Pete K.
This place is the Shiz Niz! I got to sample all of their BBQ and decided to go with the Rib Platter! The meat just fell off the bone! The potato salad, mac n cheese, hush puppies and sweet tea were just as good! This will be a repeat place for me! 5 plus stars!!!
(5)Wayne K.
It may not look like much, but the food and team are amazing. I have a lot of BBQ in my travels, but this is my new Top of the List. Try brisket, chicken and ribs. The collard greens and done right and the beans are rich with molasses. The mac & cheese and hush puppies are outstanding. #BestOfBest.
(5)Andrew D.
The food is good - I would call the BBQ good but not great Eastern NC Style, and the sides (collards and cabbage) were quite good. The service is great - the knuckleheads at Teriyakin! could learn a turn or two from the counter guys here, they're both efficient and engaging. (If you're judging just on the BBQ, probably 3 *'s...)
(4)Michael B.
Droped back in for some barbecued goodness and was very pleased, i mean if you have to work on a Sunday you might as well do it on a full belly. I had the pork ribs this go-round and besides trimming a little more of the fat from them it was all good my friends. i think im becoming addicted to these ribs!!
(3)Adam L.
This is your good ole' backwoods country cooking. Being from Eastern NC, this place reminds me of home; Fried everything, greasy everything, overwhelming amounts of cheese, butter, and gravy. Yum. The inside is HIDEOUS, as they have let people write graffiti all over everything. Also, the food can a little pricey to be honest... $14.50 for a rib plate and a drink..
(4)Justin R.
Over 200 reviews and almost five stars??! Have you guys ever had BBQ before? A parking lot so full that people were having to back out and leave just as soon as they arrived, due to lack of space, a line inside snaking around the tables of the restaurant, and the same crew i saw on TV turning out food just as fast as they possibly could manage.- good signs at first glance, but chapel hill is in trouble if this place is supposed to be the best. After 25 minutes of waiting in line, and then waiting some more because they were out of ribs before i got to the front, i finally had my food, i tried to cover all the bases to sample this place- two rib plates, with macncheese, cole slaw, collard greens, corn, and hush puppies.(they were out of fried okra)-at 1pm. Got my ribs, 1st one waiting for the new batch, and they were all at room temperature, cold strait from the kitchen, sauce was good, ribs were no where close to even other decent places ive been to- i dare not bother comparing it to the best ive had- better off trying to decide if its better than a Mcdonald's McRib sandwich. Very fatty, not to much flavor... And COLD. Their mac and cheese is just noodles, cheddar, and a shit ton of butter.. Just as much oil as there is cheese, and the taste suffered because of that. I will stick with craft spongebob mac... Ive had better collards, they were ok, but who cares, the meat sucked. Hush puppies were cold, spongy, and tough on the inside, with no kind of real flavor, i was hoping for more of the maryland style pups served at crab shacks that are literally as addictive as cigarettes. Cole slaw had the right mix of seasoning but they strait up mince the cabbage to tiny bits, and the mixture is just to wet, good slaw at a bbq place- especially like what this one is supposed to be, with everything made in house, should never be past a rough chop. SAVE your MONEY!! Its an awesome town with plenty better places to eat!
(1)Jeff Z.
This was the first NC style BBQ I ate, and oh boy, did it set the bar high. Almost too high. So high in fact that the renowned The Pit in Raleigh was just blah. We tried pretty much everything on menu except a few sides. I personally had the Working Man which is a BBQ sandwich with slaw on top and two sides. The sides I had, mac and cheese and green beans, were amazing. I think that meal was about $6... half of what you would pay for anything at The Pit. Now, I am not knocking The Pit, if you want a place with a million dollar atmosphere where you can stay for a few hours and drink and everything, that is excellent for that. But if you want the best BBQ in the Triangle and don't care about the atmosphere, the Backyard BBQ Pit is definitely the place to go. Check the hours though before you go, I believe they close at 6 pm some nights.
(5)J T.
Great value. The pulled pork, hush puppies, collards, and Mac and cheese were OUTSTANDING! Friendly service. I'd go back in a heart beat.
(5)Chris W.
Have been here several times. Always get the pork and it is fantastic. Seem to always get collard greens and mac/cheese, both are insanely good. Got the ribs tonight, very tender and juicy, but not something was missing with taste. Liked them, but probably won't get them again.
(5)Oiyan P.
For me food elicits emotions, and Backyard BBQ Pit brought me to tears in front of people I just met 3 days ago... and I wasn't ashamed! So I'm here in NC with a bunch of eggheads from around the country, but mostly from the southeast (NC, GA, MS, LA, etc.). Having spent 2 years in Georgia for my masters ten years ago, I was really looking forward to getting some real southern BBQ... but training has been 8 a.m. till 6 p.m. everyday, and none of us have cars here, AND... being the eggheads we are, most of the group has gone back to their rooms every night to do some reading and writing. But the hotel dinner of suspicious salmon tonight gave me my best opportunity to convince a small group to ask the hotel van driver to bring us to Backyard BBQ Pit! So there we were a group of 5 political scientists, sociologists, and critical race scholars... We walked into the joint and up to the counter. Service was fast despite the long line of hungry patrons. The workers were super friendly. One of them noticed one of my colleagues who was looking really tired, and got her to smile. I got the pork ribs dinner with collard greens and mac & cheese, which I'd heard was amazing. Plus a sweet tea ... less than $11!!! I would have ordered a bottle of Fat Tire (BBQ with a great beer!), but I haven't had legit sweet tea in YEARS. So I had to go with the tea. We all sat down with bottles of hot sauce/secret sauce all around... as our table got quiet, everyone had smiles on their faces. One of my colleagues (a professor of political science) started dancing in her chair because the beans were that good! She let me try a bite, and I think there was brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon, and definitely a dollup of crack cocaine... OMG... amazing! It was sweet and smoky and filled with flavors dancing in my mouth. My pork ribs... I never used my knife. Fall off the bone, smoked to perfection with a perfect sauce with a slight kick of spice and a sweetness to it that really made this whole week! The ribs were so tender that even the bones were falling apart. The mac and cheese was not skimpy on the cheese... good quality cheddar cheese. I could have eaten a big bowl of it. And the greens were really good - just a touch on the too vinegary side, but the combination of flavors between all of the items on my plate - sweet, spicy, sour, savory, salty... Like I said, it all brought me to shed a few tears in front of people I've known strictly professionally since 3 days ago. And I wasn't the only one to exhibit emotion. Oh, and the servings were so massive that I could not finish my dinner. Don't worry... it didn't go to waste. I gave it to my colleague (another political science professor) who had ordered the beef ribs. He believes the pork ribs were better than the beef ribs. Oh yes... and you gotta love the decor at this place. It's straight up graffiti by patrons with pens, markers and sharpies. Oh Backyard BBQ Pit - I wish I could take you with me back home.
(5)Ethan S.
Glory days, they'll pass you by. This place is amazing! Easy access off the highway, plenty of parking, fast moving line, and great vibe. The food: delicious, balanced, flavorful, made with love, made with expertise, and totally hits the spot. The staff: on point, all smiles, and they make sure everyone's order is perfect. All I really need to say is: chopped eastern NC BBQ
(5)Ben S.
The Backyard BBQ Pit is just down the road from my home, and I feel fortunate to have a pretty darn good 'cue restaurant so close. I've been to nearly two dozen bbq restaurants in North Carolina, and over the lunch hour, this place ranks near the top of the list. The bbq is great, and the two sauces it seems that they have most of the time both go well with a hotter sauce that is also available. I especially like their mac and cheese and fried okra, but on a recent trip, my fiance and I became fans of their collards and fried cabbage. I've also brought friends here who have really enjoyed the ribs. The prices are lower than you might expect given the quality of the food. Some folks might not be fans of the decor, which consists of standard tables, chairs, and booths, and each wall is covered in the signatures and words of wisdom that patrons have left behind over the years. It's not pretty, but I prefer this decor to the fancified 'cue restaurants that one might venture to in... oh, let's say Raleigh (The Pit - I'm looking at you). There is also a small stage, where the owner's daughter and others sometime perform songs during the lunch hour, is actually a welcome sight (and sound). Recently, a friend of mine from my hometown was visiting the area, and I took him here for dinner. They had ran out of 'cue by 6:30 pm, but we enjoyed our ribs and all the sides. I'll definitely keep patronizing these folks as I continue living here.
(4)Christine K.
Friendly service! I definitely jumped off the deep end and bit off WAY more than I could chew here. Ordered the ribs and pulled pork combo with mac and cheese, and stew as my sides. Food came with hush puppies as well. Also had some iced tea. delicious, reasonably priced food. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I felt sick afterwards (from eating too much food that i wasnt used to). A must do if you're in the area!
(4)James M.
Real good, down home BBQ! Had rib plate w/2 sides (Mac n chz & Brunswick stu) loved it all! No need for xtra sauce, dived into those ribs til I had sauce on my ears. The sides were excellent, fresh & gooood! Wife had chicken plate w/ green beans n cabbage. She went all over it & I tried hers and that cabbage was so fresh tasting I then knew what I was missing elsewhere. Chicken fell off the bone and so good! Great service even tho they had worked a full slam packed day (they were running out of food while we were there just before closing) so accommodating friendly and sweet as mama. Gotta get back there!
(4)Catie F.
This really gets 4 stars for food and customer service but 1 for decor/cleanliness. This is the kind of place that I ALWAYS get take out from because I like to imagine that I got it from someplace cleaner. It's a no excuses BBQ joint with plain white bread, greasy sides, and diabetic coma inducing sweet tea. I love their hush puppies and the $5 sandwich meal. It's straight up NC BBQ and it's what I get when I feel the need for a few thousand calories in one sitting or introducing my friends and family to real NC BBQ.
(3)Yeelo N.
7 working days in RTP, what do you eat? After my first lunch at the cafeteria, I knew I had to do something different come day 2, pronto. That next day, I looked for something close and yummy. Thanks Yelp, you never disappoint! 10 mins down the way, I arrived at Backyard BBQ Pit. AWESOME. Small joint, cafeteria style, and boy was the grub good! The que was different from what I'm used to in CA but I loved it. I got way too much food: pulled pork, ribs, mac&cheese, green beans, and hush puppies. At first, I thought, hmm...pulled pork is a bit boring, but then I saw the sauces on the counter. Apparently the idea is to put all the great sauce on the pork to make it yours. :) Aww, now I'm IN! The hush puppies - great! The hot sauce, OMG, drool (I know, it's JUST hot sauce, but trust me, it was amazing). 5 more lunches before I head home, you can bet that I'll be here again. :9
(4)Romin B.
Some things don't make sense. Like how a barbecue enthusiast who has lived in the triangle for 7 years is just now getting around to one of the highest rated joints in the area. After only one visit, I'm ready to side with the yelp community here; Backyard BBQ may be my new go-to place for some delicious 'cue. As a pulled pork man, how could I say no to a pork sandwich with 2 sides for $4.99. Are you kidding me? The pork was extremely moist and perfectly complemented with some tasty slaw. I got mac and cheese and potato salad for my sides. Both were quite satisfying. Mac and cheese was filled with cheesy goodness and the potato salad was super creamy with a nice lemony zing. Not for those who prefer light on the mayo, but delicious all the same. I also added an order of a half-dozen hush puppies for 89 cents (ended up getting 7, score!), and as sizable as these things were (think jumbo doughnut holes), another exceptional value. I almost forgot to mention sauces. As any respectable barbecue joint, they have the traditional style and the eastern bbq vinegar style. The eastern was some of the best I've had, a harmonious blend of vinegar and pepper to accentuate the already delicious pork. The western style was pretty good as well, a bit sweet, but a nice change-up. Not sure I can pass up the incredible deal of the pork sandwich combo, but the entire menu looked pretty amazing. Needless to say, it won't be 7 years before my next visit, probably more like 7 days. Don't make my mistake, head on over!
(5)Sheri T.
Dirty little hole in the wall of BBQ goodness! Their pulled pork is simply amazing! Love it! Their fried chicken? Just like Grandma makes! Try it!
(4)Gary G.
Great BBQ, certainly the best in the area. Mac and cheese is off the hook. Very reasonable prices and good service from friendly people make this place a winner.
(4)Paula S.
True barbecue spot. The barbecue turkey was really good although it was kinda heavy on vinegar - I applaud the fact that they even have this on the menu. The chicken is great - really tender. And the mac & cheese is GREAT!
(5)Coleen T.
I saw this place on man vs food and just had to try it! I got a bbq sandwich with hushpuppies and brunswick stew. everything was amazing and the staff was very kind and hospitable. the atmosphere was so durham... it was great.
(5)Rachel K.
What a gem! Backyard BBQ welcomes guests not with their decor, but their stellar service and excellent eastern style, vinegar-based BBQ. If you look past the poor decor and no air conditioning, you'll find some seriously mouthwatering food. My husband and I went around 1:30 PM, right in the middle of a serious lunch crowd. The store was PACKED -- and the line moved slow, but the employees actively engaged with each customer that came through the line. We ordered two pork BBQ plates which came with two sides (we chose mac and cheese and coleslaw) and hushpuppies. The coleslaw was finely cut and packed with flavor, but the Mac and cheese was swimming in grease. I'm not sure if this was because we got one of the last scrapings of it, but it wasn't good. The pork bbq and hushpuppies, however, stole the show. Oh my goodness. The hushpuppies were light and crispy, and the BBQ was full of flavor. Even though we were slightly taken aback by the interior and mac and cheese, we'll still definitely be back. After all, this is a BARBECUE joint.
(4)Daisy J.
Lunch was very good there. A humble place with big flavors!! I came from Memphis and am used to good BBQ. I thought this place was very good though I"m still more partial to the dry rub. BBQ here is the tomato sauce based. Both briskets and ribs are soaked in this sweet, tangy sauce. Pull pork is more NC style, vinegar-based. My favorite is the sides actually. Fried Cabbage, MacN'Cheez, fried okras, slaw are VERY good. True taste of home made southern food. My next to try is their fried fish!
(4)Steve D.
The food is great but it needs to be an abundance people drive from all over and to hear that you don't have an particular item is heart breaking . I would eat there every day if the guys taking the order were professional and friendly if they sold you service instead of just good food this establishment could go places i just feel disrespected and rushed when I order I'm not trying to put them down just trying to help
(3)Joel E.
Decided to go simple and cheap: Pork BBQ sandwich platter w/two sides ($4.99), sweet tea to drink. Cole slaw on the sandwich, green beans and mac & cheese for sides, squeezed a dash of house sauce on the pork. Sandwich was incredibly good. Green beans seemed like an uninspired choice at the time, but can't recall having eaten green beans this good -- very well seasoned. Mac & cheese was especially delicious. Next time I'm gonna go for the yams but can't give up that Mac & cheese. Very, very pleased with my choices. Do wish they had self-serve drinks -- when I eat BBQ I *always* need more to drink faster than I can get refill service from behind a counter. Had to go the restroom to find napkins, but I ain't complaining. I'm coming back. Soon.
(5)Karen H.
Awesome BBQ! The line was out the door. Our family had chicken, brisket, fried pork, and fried fish. Everything was delicious including the sides. We will definitely go back next time we are in town. The only reason we didn't give 5 stars is because it was too hot to eat in the restaurant-so we took it back to our room.
(4)Joseph F.
By far the best BBQ place in the Durham area hands down! Try the Mac and Cheese...AWESOME!!!
(5)Puneet M.
Just like the name sounds, when you get your plate of food you feel like your at a backyard BBQ. When you first walk in you notice the deli esk layout of the place, and a hidden fear rises inside of you when you see two people behind the counter taking orders and barking clarifications. You suddenly feel like you are at the Soupnazi... but don fret they are nice people wont shoo you down the line. Ok on to the food, the food is solid bbq. It is a no nonsense place where smell and look of the food has your drooling. I would highly recommend this place not only for the prices but the food too. The quality is just like home and you almost feel like you should be sitting outside in shorts and t-shirt at your neighbors place! Again highly recommend Backyard BBQ Lets throw another shrmp on the barbie! Cheers mates and wipe that BBQ sauce off your face.
(4)Bashante R.
So I'm in town from St. Louis on my moms couch recovering from surgery. Naturally my mom is going to take great care of me but I'm a very picky eater. So when my mom walks in the house and says I have dinner, I'm a little concerned. Her male friend had made a couple of failed attempts to provide a tasty southern meal. When I opened the box and saw the Mac and cheese I was elated. It looked sooooo tasty. I sampled everything and it was great. The best southern food I have had in a while. So when I come home next time, I have to have backyard BBQ pit.
(5)James B.
People, this is real barbecue. Not that poor imitation, chopped pork stirred with BBQ sauce. Authentic, Carolina country, real wood smoke, barbecue done right. Don't look for silverware, tablecloths or waitresses serving you in short skirts. Nothing fancy at Backyard BBQ Pit, just great barbecue & classic southern side dishes. Loved the green beans. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Amelia Z.
Eastern NC BBQ doesn't get better than this. The meat is amazing and the sauces they have available are great. The macaroni and cheese is completely loaded with cheese and then has more cheese on top. How could you possibly improve on that? Just make sure you don't go right around lunch time (5:30-7ish) as they tend to run out of BBQ!
(5)Lindsay S.
This is your country, home-cookin', southern goodness right here on Highway 55 in Durham folks! The parking picks are slim, but the line inside moves quickly. The menu is simple, but that's all it's meant to be. Perfect for a casual lunch or in and out to take something tasty back to the office! BBQ plate with 2 sides for $6.49. Hello! Yes, please. They have quite a few sides to pick from coleslaw, okra, potatoes, fries, corn, mac'n cheese, green beans and more. Oh ya know, the standards when eatin' good comfort food! The plate has a good-sized portion of bbq and even comes with a few delish hushpuppies on the side too. I got corn and green beans as my sides. Add in a Sweet Tea and I'm in Heaven. Go through the line and at the cashier they hand you your food in a standard styrofoam take-out box. Everyone gets it served that way whether you're eatin' in or out. I wish they were more Earth friendly and had some cardboard or some other kinda materials, but that food was good. We sat down at a booth. This building is ancient and the plastic chairs are too with decor mannerisms like an old Hardee's or something. There are drawings and writing all over the walls kind of like an old school cafeteria. No pretenses. Just yummmm. For a change, I actually gobbled down all my food too with no leftovers!
(4)Kevin P.
Best chopped pork sandwich I have ever eaten! This is a very unassuming little establishment. We walked in and looked confused as to what to order. The guy at the counter said "This your first time here?" I answered "Yes." He promptly fixed up a sheet of butcher paper with all the meats and hush puppies for us to try. He made very good suggestions and won my favor with regards to chopped pork. I got the working mans special. $4.99 for a chopped pork sandwich and two sides. This sandwich was legit! Just the right amount of vinegar (no need to add), cole slaw and spice. The pork was juicy and the bread held it together extremely well. My two sides were mac and cheese and boiled cabbage. The mac and cheese was just ok. It kind of all gelled together. The boiled cabbage was very good and went well with my sandwich. I would go back there in a heart beat if i'm ever in the area again. A must visit if you only have one chance to get easter Carolina BBQ
(5)Mike G.
Had the ribs, mac n cheese and collard greens. Ribs were awesome, the collard greens were just as good. I wish I could say the same for the mac n cheese. I've had better. The hush puppies were a nice finish however. Overall definitely recommended! I'll definitely come back to this place next time I'm in RTP.
(4)Roll T.
I'm surprised. Not only did Backyard get the indelible stamp of my brother (a bonafide BBQ guru), but it also managed to build its reputation in short order while under the considerable shadow of a number of hallowed North Carolina BBQ joints. But I don't think this is the best BBQ I have had in North Carolina; in fact, I think Allen & Son might even be better BBQ in the Triangle. That isn't to say Backyard does not provide some tasty ribs. But overall, at least on this visit, it simply did not live up to expectations. Ribs were lightly sauced and had no pull. While I loved the flavor of the meat, it had lost considerable texture (it was almost like a rib mush). While most people rave about fall-off-the-bone meat (and this would be a textbook example of that), I actually thought it was too tender. The brisket, on the other hand, was entirely too tough and did not retain enough moisture. This experience further cemented my belief that ordering brisket outside of the state of Texas is an exercise in futility. Other than the combination pulled pork, bacon, and brisket sandwich at the incredibly underrated Big Bad Wolf in Baltimore, MD, I haven't really found a palatable brisket experience outside of Texas. The sides were relatively standard. The greens were well flavored and the mac-n-cheese was fine. Within the Triangle, I like the sides best at Q-Shack but Backyard is in the conversation. Overall, if your expectations aren't set too high, you are probably going to enjoy this place.
(3)Dawn L.
All I can say is the food is the closes I can get to my moms cooking. I ordered the pork barbecue ribs, mac and cheese, and cabbage, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. I devoured the entire meal, and my dog enjoyed the bones. OMG, the strawberry cheesecake was off the chain, and the hush puppies, mmm good. I could have eaten about 10 of those puppies. I am going to try to exercise some control, but I will definitely be back.
(4)Sarah H.
The whole side-of-the-road, BBQ joints are one of my favorite things about North Carolina and the Backyard BBQ Pit didn't disappoint. The prices were excellent, for $4.95 I got the working man's lunch with a BBQ sandwich with slaw and two sides. Both the green beans and the mac'n'cheese were delicious. The 'cue was especially moist, tender, and I really enjoyed their vinegar sauce. I agree with Christina G's complaint about the lack of condiments on the tables. Even stranger is their lack of any hot sauce (especially Texas Pete). But it's definitely a great place to pop into and add to your tour of NC BBQ.
(4)Joseph A.
If you don't love this place, seek psychiatric help and taste bud replacement surgery. This is some seriously outstanding food prepared by wonderful people.
(5)Chad E.
The mac n cheese here is phenomenal, and the barbeque is really good. I have not tried anything here that I did not like. If you want some good old southern cooking, this is the place to go! The building doesn't look very nice from the outside, and the inside actually has writing all over the walls. TRUST ME... go in and try it! Don't let the looks deceive you. There is barbeque gold in that odd looking treasure chest!
(5)Matthew K.
I've driven past Backyard BBQ Pit for years. Never thought of going in. But then it was profiled on Man vs. Food. Well, that piqued my interest. I have a bone to pick with the old me who drove by without ever going in. He was a bad, bad man. BBBQP is really great. Okay, it looks like a disaster area from the outside. And not much better from the inside. And my nutritionist probably would beat me for eating there, if I had a nutritionist. But the food makes up for all else. And really, there is no more else to make up for anyway. My first visit was to take my 12 year old for some pulled pork sammiches. They were top notch. Second visit was with a buddy from work. He had the pulled pork and raved. I took a different approach this time. I asked what was the best entree. "Well, I like the ribs best, but . . ." I cut her off there, "No buts, if your first call was ribs, let's go ribs." She put some ribs on my plate and passed it to someone else for sides. "What'll you have with it?" "Whatever you think would be best." He gave me an aprising look, turned away from the sides in steam trays and passed my plate through to the kitchen, "Lemme get some white potatoes on this here plate." Then he added some greens and mixed and matched a few sauces onto the ribs. This is not the platter I would have made for myself. Bad, bad self. Incredible. I don't know if the potatoes were stewed or boiled or steamed, but they were delctible. They were falling apart, making their own potato gravy. A bit of pepper bite. Just incredible starchy goodness. I'm not a big fan of greens (mustard, turnip, whatever) in general, but the vinegar flavor just brought out a freshness that I didn't expect. And don't get me started on the hush puppies. The fact that the ribs were fall-off-the-bone bites of heaven just put me into a different world. But the topper was yesterday's visit. My wife asked me to pick up a roast chicken from Whole Foods on the way home from work. A mad inspiration hit me and I went to BBBQP for a smoked chicken instead. I've seen the smoked chicken before, but the BBQ and ribs always overrode my desire to try the chicken. I ordered a whole chicken, and as I was paying, I mentioned that I was supposed to get a roast chicken, but wanted to try their smoked chicken. Well, I was in trouble then. "What? You've never had my chicken?" Before I knew it, I had been forced into a seat with a stack of napkins and a chicken leg (drumstick and thigh) plunked down in front of me, smothered in BBQ sauce. I took a bite and it was incredible. As I savored my next few bites, I sensed someone approaching . . . next thing I new there was a plate of hush puppies alongside the chicken. I chuckled as I happily dug into them. Suddenly there was a glass of iced tea/lemonade mix there too. A nice little pre-dinner meal! I thanked everyone for the incredible food and insane service and went home to earn the love and admiration of my family with the surprise smoked chicken. The divorce proceedings which my wife had started that morning and my children's case for independence from me were both cancelled after dinner.
(4)Melissa P.
By far, my favorite place to get BBQ in Durham. Try the MAC b'day cheese, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Joe P.
I feel like I need to preface this review with two facts: 1. I am a dumb northerner and know nothing about what makes BBQ brilliant. All I know is what makes my tastebuds happy. 2. I'm a total Man Vs. Food fanboy, so I lap up pretty much every word that Adam Richman spits out. With the exception of his Primanti Brothers raves. I'd like to think he was drunk when that happened. Both of these will cloud my judgment heavily from here on out. So let's get the unpleasant part out of the way first: the decor. Yuck. I felt like I was getting Hepatitis C just by looking at the place. The good folks at Backyard BBQ Pit encourage you to write on their walls. It is aesthetically not-pleasing. The walls needs to be washed and repainted in the worst way. Now on to the good stuff: the food. I had a pulled pork sandwich with yams and collard greens... because there's no such thing as that kind of food up north, and I crave it when I'm in the south. Like, once I hit below Virginia, all I can think about are collard greens and how badly I would kill someone to get them in my mouth. Immediately. I digress. Collard greens were heavenly here. Slight vinegar kick to them, which was really a treat, and if they hadn't been sitting with a ham hock and simmering on a stove for hours and hours before being served to me, I'll be dipped. The subtle undercurrent of meaty yum-yum is delightful. The yams were like God's Message To Us That Everything Would Be All Right. The sauce was rich, thick, and spiced with enough brown sugar to make it a dessert. Oh, and boy were they cooked to perfection. Soft and mushy and perfect. But friends, we're here to talk about the barbecue. I've never had "North Carolina" rub. In fact, before visiting this establishment, I stupidly assumed that barbecue was barbecue (even after having Memphis barbecue). I no longer subscribe to that idiot belief. No way, no how. First of all, there's that combination of spices that Richman gushed over on Man Vs. Food. It's there. And it's incredible. Sharp, spicy, acidic, and beautifully blended with the meat that is so tender and juicy it could make a grown man cry. I bought a quart of it to take back to Pittsburgh. It also bears mentioning that the employees who work here are good, kind, lovely people. When I bought the quart and asked how long it would stay since I had an 8 hour drive ahead of me, the woman behind the counter said, "Baby, wait right here," and, moments later, returned with a tub that they had already frozen. "That oughta last ya." Then they showed me the smokehouse so prominently featured on Man Vs. Food. Yes, these are amazing people. When my quart of barbecue runs out, I might just have to pay them another visit. It'll be worth the drive.
(5)Cassie O.
I've eaten here many times. They never disappoint me. I always get the barbeque and Mac and cheese. Lunch time is Very busy you may be standing out but the line moves very very fast. No need to worry a lot of people eat here on their lunch break. Also try the pineapple lemonade if like sweet stuff.
(5)Kevin Y.
Seriously some of the tastiest and cheapest barbecue I have ever had! I came here after work one day because my co-workers raved about how good this place is...and boy, were they right! I had the brisket dinner plate with mac & cheese and coleslaw. I wanted to try their pulled pork as well, but they had run out by the time I got to the restaurant! Legitimately some of the best brisket I've ever had though. The coleslaw and mac & cheese are simple and classic, and that's probably what makes them so tasty as well. As good as the food is, don't expect anything from the actual restaurant itself. The whole building looks old and run-down and there is no food presentation at all. The best way to describe the restaurant would be a mini-high school cafeteria line. Maybe the contrast between the appearance of the restaurant and the actual taste of the food is what makes this restaurant that much more mind-blowing. If you're in the area and are jonesing for some barbecue, do yourself a favor and make a trip here.
(5)Ira B.
This is probably the best bbq that I had in my Research Triangle extravaganza. Very good wet bbq. The chicken was perhaps the best that I have had. Pork and rib were great too. Sides OK, but we went very late. And like the other reviewers said, the staff is one of the nicest I have ever seen. Looks like I'm taking friends back...perhaps as soon as tonight.
(5)Thomas I.
I love Backyard BBQ Pit. I have been here twice now... once when I first moved to Durham and now again a year or so later. Since I first tried Backyard BBQ I have tried several other Triangle BBQ establishments. I can say, hands down, that this place is the best. The prices are low, the food is spectacular. On the down side, the place is a little sketchy. The A/C doesn't work (or at least it didn't today) and the restaurant seems a bit dingy and dirty. The NC State sanitation score posted on the wall was a little lower than I would have liked it to be. With that said, the best BBQ places I have been in my life have all been a little sketchy. Seriously, I would argue that their pulled pork sandwich (with slaw, of course) is probably the best pork sandwich I have ever had. The mac & cheese is fantastic. The tea is perfect. Go here and nowhere else.
(5)P G.
Ok, so you have to know the style of BBQ to appreciate it. If you like Kansas style or Texas BBQ, you may not like Carolina style. The sauce is a bit vinegary tangy. So if you're expecting heavy rub/smoked, this is not the BBQ style you're looking for... you may want to go about 1000 miles west. So the place isnt in a cute bistro on cute plates. So what? The food is really good and very well priced. The folks at the counter were very nice (could tell I wasnt from around here) and offered me tastes of a few things while in line! I ended up with a combo plate of ribs and brisket, okra and mac&cheese and it comes with a side of hush puppies. The hush puppies and fried okra were served to order - hot, crispy and sooo yummy! I'd say the mac&cheese was good, but nothing super special. The Brisket was very tasty and fall apart tender. The ribs were a little on the dry ,but the ones I got were one of the last ones in the bin. I would say between the two, get the brisket. Or for the ribs, wait for a fresh batch to come out. I think the place has it's own ambiance and character...you guys are awesome and the food is fantastic! It's my new go-to BBQ on my trips to RDU!!
(5)Ray A.
Great place. When you get out of your car, you know that smoky smell means pure goodness. So I ordered the pulled pork and all I have to say is its OK. I wasn't blown away with its flavor. Next time I'll try the ribs. The Mac and Cheese on the other hand was sensational !
(2)Amy M.
This place is amazing. The pork BBQ was so good, it didn't need any sauce. I used some anyway, because the BBQ sauce was tasty too. After reading the reviews, I had to order the pork and the ribs. The guy behind the counter was pretty funny. He asked if someone was going to help me eat all the food i was ordering. I told him it would make great left overs. I'm usually picky about mac and cheese. This one is worth ordering. The noodles were cooked perfectly and there is just the right amount of real cheese. Oh, so good. The ribs were fall off the bone great. I could taste the seasoning on the ribs even with the BBQ sauce on it. YUM! Wherever you are in North Carolina, if you want BBQ, come here. You won't be disappointed. The food was so good, I didn't mind the lack of air conditioning. Come here for the food and staff, not the decor. The price is right too.
(5)Poki C.
5 dollar working man special bravo, rib is good but bit pricy. Anyway it's a good choice for lunch
(5)A V.
Wow. If you like Carolina BBQ go here. Drove straight to the BBQ pit from the Raleigh airport on a Monday night. Had the pulled pork combo with chicken (baked beans and mac & cheese as sides) along with a bottomless sweet tea. The pork was amazing. Well seasoned and moist. The white meat chicken had a nice amount of smoke and was also moist. I agree with most reviewers that the mac & cheese is very good but I also particularly enjoyed the baked beans which had an unexpected black pepper flavor. Oh, and the hush puppies were amazing. Fluffy and not greasy. Staff was pretty friendly and patient with customers struggling to decide what to order. If I return to RDU any time soon I will head straight back to the BBQ pit. Just go.
(5)Kimmy M.
Good stuff! This is the kind of food that makes me miss NC! I've lived out of the area for some time, but I always stop by on my way out of town to get some NC goodness to take back home with me! Love the macaroni & cheese & greens the most! Yum!!! Staff is also great! They always have a smile & remember me!
(4)Liz B.
NC BBQ nirvana, elusive for so long, I have now found you. The pulled pork sandwich, while humble on the plate, is a miracle once it enters your mouth. I got the cole slaw on the side and smothered it on half the sandwich, and it's excellent either with or without slaw. I can't tell you how many times I've tried and hated collard greens. Backyard's collard greens actually taste good. Yet another miracle. And their mac-and-cheese is AMAZING. As tasty as Poole's, but way cheaper. Although the food is stealthily fantastic, the true charm of this place is the staff--humble, cheerful, kind, and thoroughly unpretentious. One of the staff kept walking around the tables, checking in with all the customers, making sure they were happy. Many have commented on the unpleasant appearance of this place. Well, I think of it this way...I consider a guy who's unattractive by conventional standards, shabbily dressed, maybe chubby, or very skinny. But he is completely at home in his skin. He KNOWS himself, without apology, and is genuinely warm, caring, funny. Backyard BBQ Pit is that guy. If that guy tastes like delicious, juicy, smokey, meaty heaven. To compare, a certain overpraised shiny BBQ joint in Raleigh is the overgroomed, trendy metrosexual who tries too hard and tastes like Acqua di Gio.
(5)Steve L.
BBQ is OK. If you want something fried, like french fries be prepared to wait. I've not tired them as my 30 minute lunch time won't allow a 15 minute wait for fries. Not so sure about sanitary practices here either as I've witnessed some things that will keep me from going back.
(3)chris b.
Fantastic food... We had the Pork with Mac n Cheese and Black Eyed Peas! This is the first time I have protected my food like a dog. No way were the kids gong to get a bite off my plate. I only gave it four stars because the place needs updating. However, that cost money and would drive the price up...I think it may be the best deal in town. Just not the place to take your first date on. Enjoyed every bite and I will go back.
(4)Kevin F.
If you're on a health kick skip this place. If you love southern comfort food you'll be in heaven. I used to work right near the Backyard BBQ Pit and my friend is the one that introduced me to this place. Their working man's special is a bbq sandwich with a side for $4.99. It's enough to fill you up for sure. I'm glad my friend told me to take a bite before adding bbq sauce. It was by far the best bbq I have had since I have lived in NC. I had bbq from Boone to the coast and the Backyard BBQ Pit is my favorite. The goodness doesn't just stop there. The people working there are great and the sides are amazing. The mac and cheese is a glob of gooey goodness. The fried cabbage is awesome. You can tell the cabbage and green beans have been cooked with so much bacon I doubt you could still consider them a vegetable. The only sides I didn't care for was the brunswick stew and stewed potatoes. The beans, okra, corn, cabbage, green beans, mac and cheese and other stuff is great. The bad thing about this place is everything looks so good you have a hard time choosing what you want. You'll order a sandwich then when they're putting the pork on someone will order bbq chicken and when they open the lid with the chicken, YOU WILL want chicken. That's at least until they open the lid for the ribs. Then you'll want ribs. You have to almost order then look away. The sweet tea is hit or miss. You either get great tea or syrup. The staff is great about swapping it out if you get to the bottom of the barrel tea. I can't stress how great this place is. Their prices are cheap too. I take everyone I know here when they visit and even people from NC say they are ruined after eating there. They compare all other bbq to the Backyard BBQ Pit now. It has become a standard in what good bbq should be. The main way the bbq is cooked is with hickory wood. It's slowly cooked for hours. Similar to how The Pit downtown cooks there bbq but they use charcoal. I believe the hickory wood adds better flavor.
(5)James W.
The barbeque was excellent! It was moist, without being too moist. The flavor was great; it doesn't need any extra sauce. It had just enough kick, but not too much. Like the story of the 3 bears, it was just right. The mac and cheese was just as perfect. The hushpuppies were very good. They had a sweet crispy outside and a soft white center. Just know they do not have butter for the hushpuppies, but I didn't end up needing it because of how good they were. The collards were disappointing. I would try the green beans or cabbage next time. Also know for those that can't (or shouldn't) drink sweet tea, that is your only tea option. However there are fountain drinks and canned drinks...and water. The parking lot was packed and I had to go around back. The line was really long, but even with all that, there were still seats available inside. Another hot item, that I'll have to try later, was the pork chops. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Andrew R.
I don't normally grant 5 stars, but Backyard needs six. This is the BEST pig I've had in the Triangle Area, seriously. Perfectly smoked, very tender, and the sauce is fantastic. As for sides, we tried the mac n' cheese, fried okra and hush puppies; they were all fantastic, in that stuff-your-grandma-makes-for-the-family-reunion kind of way. The best part of the sides was how firm the okra was, not at all soggy like so many other places. I still need to try the ribs, so, an update will be forthcoming.
(5)Adam K.
In Raleigh for one night with only 1 BBQ lunch opportunity. Scoured Yelp for BBQ close by, looked at the Pit reviews and then decided I wanted old style, backyard smokehouse. Decided in Backyard BBQ Pit as it was highly rated and close by. I was definitely a happy BBQ camper! First a quick glance at the outdoor smokehouse behind the restaurant, this is the real deal and they had just finished a chicken smoke. The smell was amazing! In the restaurant I was greeted by a line of people, young and old, students, working people and definitely a local feel. The restaurant is old school Formica tables, counter ordering and a menu that was both handwritten with today's fish as well a fast food style Marquis. I had the feeling that I had walked into the Right place! I ordered the ribs, with sides of collard greens, mac and cheese and a few hush puppies., The ribs were succulent, meat fell off the bone, the BBQ sauce was perfect! The bones were soft from the 9 hours they spent in the backyard smokehouse! The sides were great. Mac and cheese was different with a good mix of cheese, macaroni and breadcrumbs, you have to have this side! The collars greens were good with a subtle vinegar and lemon taste, done right an made me feel that at least I had a vegetable with this wild and highly caloric meal. All in all, a great experience. I had a chat out back with one of the guys from the restaurant and he was terrific. We talked BBQ and future plans, watch out, these guys are gonna be big in the NC BBQ world! I'll be back and really look forward to it. NY BBQ just doesn't get there the way NC downhome does! Don't miss this gem!
(5)Eric W.
I was in RTP on business and had a night free for dinner. I took a chance on this based on reviews here and on UrbanSpoon (sorry). I am really glad I did! It is a small place -- but not too small. And I would say that in general, cleanliness is not necessarily an area of emphasis. But oh, the food. I was going to have just the pulled pork and the brisket -- but as I was ordering, a yell came from the back -- "Fresh catfish right out the fryer," So yes, I ended up with the three meat platter. Added collards and mac&cheese, throw in the obligatory and complimentary hushpuppies and I had myself a feast. The pork was juicy, tender and smokey. The vinegar based NC style BBQ sauce was the perfect foil for the rich meat. The brisket was fall apart tender and delicious -- served in a "gravy" that I have no clue what was in it -- but VERY good. The catfish was crispy, perfectly spiced and flaky and tender -- and at two pieces per order probably more than I needed. Sides were great -- and the hushpuppies were light and crispy. Add a sprinkling of hot sauce to the collards, mac&cheese and hushpuppies to gild the lilly a bit. I don't often come to RTP, but when I do, I am going to make this place a regular stop.
(4)Marit H.
Ridiculously good! Six stars! Where are you diners, drive-ins and dives? Bring some sharpies for the walls too.
(5)Kyla W.
The Mac and cheese was the best I've ever had and in 24 years of life I've had lots of Mac and cheese!! I walked out after eating a BBQ plate, collards and the Mac and immediately fell into a delightful food coma.
(5)Stacie N.
BBQ met soul food, one thing led to another, and it was good. This place may never be able to claim the title of best 'cue in the state, or even the Triangle, but it is a solid, reliable go-to. Here's why: These folks are, to my knowledge, the only smokehouse in Durham County that still actually cooks over wood coals. Not Bullock's, nor the Q Shack, nor any of the other popular places. In my opinion, you can taste the difference. While the meat itself is (I'd say) undersauced when you get it, you get a better baseline with a wood-smoked slab of meat. When you do add sauce, it's white vinegar-based, which is atypical for this region. That may be partly why it lacks punch, but it's completely edible. The slaw and pups are just a touch too sweet for me, but these are not dealbreakers. Most folks quite love them. And saying they're a touch too sweet doesn't mean I don't still find them pretty decent (they are), but we're putting that out there. The mac and cheese--more appropriately, cheese with mac--is good in that artery-clogging soul-satisfying sort of way, but I also find their other sides appealing. The sweet potatoes are heavenly, good greens and green beans, the cabbage is tasty, the corn nice and salty, and the Brunswick stew is ok (again, a bit too sweet for my liking, but that seems to be the style locally). The other meats are also flavorful and fall-off-the-bone tender (some call this overcooked--if you're one of those folks, stick to the 'cue), though more expensive than the barbecue. These folks are ultra-friendly. I never go there without getting a smile and/or some playful teasing and/or some samples of other foods. Even from the gruff guy at the front of the line who gives you grief if you don't tell him up-front that you want slaw with your barbecue. These are good people. They want you to leave fed and happy, and it shows. And what's more, Backyard BBQ Pit still has good pricing on their 'cue. $4.99 for a sandwich combo (sandwich plus two sides). $6.99 for a plate (cue, slaw, puppies, two sides). Never paid much attention to how much the drinks cost, but I'd guess $1.50, with free refills. And they serve beer, though I've never seen a single person order one. Pineapple lemonade is worth trying out. Anyway, give it a shot. Don't expect the best, but do expect a solid, better-than-average standard bearer with great pricing and great people.
(4)Brent N.
Best BBQ in durham! Just delicious. I've had the BBQ sandwich both times I've been here and the flavor is to die for. A sandwich and 2 sides for $4.99? YES, PLEASE!! The sides: The baked mac and cheese is delicious, but way too greasy for my liking. (there is a half-inch of grease left over after you eat it) Hushpuppies are just OK - too light for my liking (I think Q Shack has them beat on this) and missing that cornmeal taste that I just love. Green beans were tasty (but seemed as if they were from a can). Everyone working here is also super, super nice. Recommended.
(4)Alice W.
I only thought this was place was OK. Kind of dingy, the mac and cheese is really not that great (or even good). The BBQ was, however, decent, which gives this place 3 stars. If a friend REALLY wanted BBQ, I would take them here since there's not too many places like this around, but I doubt I will go back again.
(3)David H.
Pig the way it should taste and good people to boot. Can't wait to go back and try the chicken.
(5)Ron W.
Nothing says home like good ol' country cooking and that's exactly what you get at the Backyard BBQ Pit! It's a humble little place that puts out mounds of delicious Southern cooking at great prices. The Backyard BBQ Pit has been on my bookmarks FOREVER but I'm rarely in that hood. At the intersection of 54/55, just head south about half a mile on 55 to find the place. It's an easy shot if you're headed to or from RDU airport. But yeah, the food! I had the beef brisket with a side of mac n cheese, and collard greens, great stuff. The brisket were several big hunks of hewn meat with a tasty red BBQ sauce, tender and delicious. The mac n cheese was serious greasy goodness with bread crumbs. And the hushpuppies on the side were great for finishing off the leftover gravy, well fried but a bit plain. No diets allowed here, just good eatin' Loved the place, the staff at Backyard BBQ Pit seems to have a lot of fun and care about their food and customers. For $10, you can't go wrong with a meal here. And while I love The Pit, I'll also love a place like Backyard BBQ. Formica tables, steam trays, magic marker graffiti on the wall and food served on styrofoam plates (yeah, not the greenest idea). Because it's all about the food for me, and it's great when it's done with love and care like the Backyard BBQ Pit!
(4)Bradley W.
Delicious!!! Got take out. The bbq was excellent as well as the mac 'n cheese and fried okra. the service was a little slow, but there was an accident in the parking lot.... so I'll cut them a little slack. Great food. I highly recommend it and will definitely be back.
(4)Mark M.
My my can we say yummm-mmy. En route to the airport I realize "you're in North Carolina and you haven't had bbq!". Yelp to the rescue...this place is not far from I-40 and it's open! Thank goodness I didn't have a meeting or anything after because my hands, clothes, and breath were in no shape. However, my tummy was very happy. The ribs - top notch. Very wet, though (and incredibly messy). Mac and cheese pretty great--but nothing to write home about. Okra - fried fresh when you order it. Only sweet tea available. Hush puppies - how can you screw up fried dough (and don't worry - they don't). I'm a Texan--born and bred--and know my bbq. While the styles are different, I have to say this place measures up!
(4)Bruce G.
I've been back a few more times and everything I have had there has been great. I like their sides better than Q-Shack which is saying a lot since I like Q-Shack a lot as well. Their Mac and Cheese is sinfully good, their baked beans to die for and the hush puppies are heavenly!
(5)Emily R.
The brisket here was great, but I didn't care for the collards. I normally love collared and turnip greens, but these were so vingeary and boiled down I couldn't eat them. The mac 'n cheese was good, but the hush puppies tasted like funnel cake to me. I prefer a corn meal hush puppy. I also found a hair in my food that was definitely not my hair, so I'm not sure if I'll be back. Everyone was really nice though.
(3)Mallory R.
This place is so good y'all. As someone who doesn't like vinegary BBQ (so sue me!), I love this place! I haven't tried the famous Chapel Hill spots like Allen and Sons (although they're definitely on my list), but this place is my favorite around Durham so far. I am going to be in the minority, but I'm not the biggest fan of the brisket. To me, it's much more like a pot roast. Don't get me wrong, it tastes like freaking delicious pot roast, but it's just not what I want when I get brisket at a BBQ joint. Other than that, this place is awesome. I love their mac and cheese (ugh...some of the best homemade mac I've ever had, these people are not kidding around), their ribs and their sauce, their hush puppies and their potato salad. Just great Southern comfort food from what I believe is a scratch kitchen (don't hold me to it, but it certainly seems that way). I always get take-out so I'm not bothered by the decor. It's also always less than $10. I'm sure someone has posted a pic of it. It's definitely not a pretty place. But you can see clear into the kitchen and it's always clean, and that's what's really important! That being said, this place is not impressive in person, but anyone who eats here and doesn't want to come back does not have taste buds. It sort of looks like a Wendy's with people's names written all over the walls in marker. There's a counter where you order your food from a steam table (this place is so busy there are no worries it's not fresh) and by some point, when they sell out of something they don't have it again (even ribs or types of meat, not surprising since they have to smoke it). They box it as you order and you pay a cashier. You're in and out in about 5 minutes if it's super-slow, but if you come during dinnertime, expect to be waiting about 45 minutes. Maybe more. Probably the same at lunch, I haven't been. I did hear that you can order ahead, and it even seemed appreciated by the staff Make sure to grab some sauce from the center island thing on the way out the door if you want more than comes on your ribs or whatever. The brisket comes with it's gravy, and no BBQ, so definitely grab some if you want it on that! Also, not all of the sides are available all the time, but sometimes you can't see sides that they do have, so you should always ask.
(5)Jon B.
I travel the whole US and have had BBQ everywhere. Trust me on this one - you need to try this place. I have never had brisket this tender and I have eaten a lot over the years. The Brunswick stew is awesome and the pulled pork is off the charts. To top it of, the owners are so thankful that you have stopped and tried their BBQ and that of itself is enough to come back again.
(5)David S.
Ahh... Backyard BBQ, how I love this place... I have been here a couple of times and it never disappoints. The outside and inside look like a complete sh*t hole but they have some of the best BBQ you will ever have. I have had the BBQ (shredded pork) and brisket along with Mac and cheese, potatoes and hush puppies. I'm not one for sweet tea, but others that I go with always order it and get refills. There is one gentleman that works there that gets very upset if you are indecisive when ordering so decide what you want and don't change. When it comes down to it, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Firstname L.
Oh snap. I'm not from here so I don't have a right to judge what is and what isn't legit BBQ but everything tells me this is legit BBQ. I am in the Raleigh/Durham area for work and I was sitting in the hotel bar with coworkers when we asked the bartender where to go for BBQ. She siaid "there's this hole in the wall called Backyard BBQ Pit. It looks like a dive. It IS a dive. But it tastes like yo momma cookin for you" So of course we had to go. Everyone else's description was right on. It's a little dingy, and people have written all over the walls, and things are sticky that shouldn't be sticky. But the BBQ is really good. They were out of brisket when I was there, so I got the pulled pork. It comes with 2 sides (I picked mac-n-cheese and sweet potatoes) and he stuck a couple of the hush puppies on top. Those were really good as everyone has stated. They were not like normal hush puppies which are cornmeal balls. These were bread dough, like tiny donuts. The pork was great, with a slightly spicy (I saw red pepper flakes) twang. No gross fatty pieces or knuckly hard bits like you get in other places. Mac n cheese was super cheesy. Sweet potatoes were like nothing I have ever had (though I grew up in NY so my mother didn't do southern style cooking). Definitely stop here if you are in the area (though you're gonna blow your diet). I am surprised they haven't been on "Diners Drive-ins and Dives"...
(4)John D.
You won't find more succulent or flavorful BBQ in the triangle, maybe even the state. It tastes fantastic, juicy, and savory. I'd say the only runner up is Smokey's on 54. The sides are classic and the Mac'n'chesse is some of my favorite. The only problem: Grease and sanitation. I'm no stranger to hole-in-the-wall joints or greasy food, but it's getting a bit much. I don't care how "authentic" or "homemade" your food is, if your restaurant isn't clean I'm not going to eat there. Everything is covered in a thin layer of grease.. not to mention the communal BBQ squirt bottles in the middle of the place are probably carrying more germs than a high school bathroom. The grease is a downer too. The sides and the BBQ need to be properly strained or toned down a bit or you start to lose the taste. Not to mention it makes you a bit sick to the stomach. The food would be soooo much better by just tweaking it a bit in this area. I'll go once and awhile, or take a friend for the experience, but I won't be a regular, unfortunately.
(3)RK W.
A-may-zing bbq! We had to get a taste of authentic BBQ before we left NC and found this spot on Yelp. Food was quick and damned good. I had a combo plate with the pulled pork and chicken breast with greens and mac & cheese. I love hush puppies so requested a side of those but was told they come with the plate. Everything was incredibly good! Definitely not a healthy meal but hey, if you didn't know that coming in the door, you may have other problems...
(5)Roora H.
This is one of those "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants that you HAVE to try!!! Every time that I go, it is always very good. I always get the pulled pork plate with 2 sides. For your sides, make sure one of them is the Mac & Cheese. Even if you don't like Mac & Cheese, you have to try it. It will be the best Mac & Cheese you've ever have. Also, the hush puppies that come with your plate are the BEST hush puppies!! They are lightly fired and slightly sweet and SUPER tasty. I definitely recommend this place. It was even featured on The Travel Channel (Man vs Food).
(5)Corporal A.
On a business trip and the locals pointed me here for local bbq. For those who love hole in a wall type of restaurants, this is as close to perfect as it gets. It is basically like a small shack built on the side of a street with gravel parking space. Food is very inexpensive. All basic platters (food with sides) are under $10. The workers are friendly. The guy knew I was a tourist who doesn't know much about southern cooking and gave me samples of their sides to help me decide what I want to go along with my bbq ribs. The bbq ribs have the right amount of sauce and tenderness. I have also tried the nearby upscale "The Pit." If you are on the budget, this place will give you the local bbq taste that gives The Pit a run for its money- rib wise, without spending more than $12. I am not into pulled pork so I never tried any from those two. If you know Five Guys Burger, this is the Five Guys of bbq ribs here in the Durham area. What I mean by that is, the food here are for real bbq eaters and not for casual bbq eaters or dieters. Ladies and Gents, you will gain weight here, they are sooooo good and cheap. Of course, as a hole in a wall, don't expect great ambiance. They have basic fast food seats (tight and connected to tables) and flies galore. Today, there were so many flies flying around the room. Didn't bother me. It is summer here in NC and it is not an upscale Ribs shack. A true hole in a wall find.
(5)Lars F.
I believe I agree with what everyone wrote recently. I was in the area last year and at 7:00 PM there were closed because they ran out of food. This time we got there early, 6:00 PM and they had everything with the exception of collard greens. They would be ready in 15 minutes. Anyway, YELP was spot on. My wife ordered the pulled pork with two sides for $4.99. What a deal. I ordered the pulled pork with ribs and two sides. Too much food for me, but I wanted leftovers for later. Most certainly a dive, and I was thinking of four stars. The friendly staff made it five stars. They are just too nice.
(5)Eddie S.
Most authentic eastern north carolina style BBQ you can get around Raleigh that is priced correctly. Amazing pork, ribs, brisket, and chicken. Collards and fried cabbage are outstanding. Let your hair down and ask for a mix of half and half. I recommend getting the pork BBQ plate with a mix of collards/cabbage and the Brunswick stew or the cheese with mac. BBQ sandwich plate (aka Working Man Special) is great as well especially for the price. Perfect hole in the wall atmosphere for a BBQ joint. Friendly staff that will let you sample anything you are curious about. Very reasonable price for the product being served. People like to rep the The Pitt in downtown Raleigh but you're paying for the contemporary environment they've created and not the food. I don't need fancy seating and an expensive wine list when i go eat BBQ. It's about the soul food and staying true to the cooking methods. A plate of delicious vinegar based BBQ should not cost $20. Go eat at Backyard BBQ Pit and sign the wall.
(4)Becky P.
Never would have stumbled upon this place on my own. I don't live in the area, so my son, who refuses to eat at chain restaurants, turned us on to this place. For a little more than the price of a ho-hum fast food combo, you can have REAL vinegar-based NC barbecue, home style sides that taste like grandma made 'em, and some wonderful southern sweet tea. And, yes, you must have sweet tea with barbecue! The dining room is not pretty, to say the least, but it proves a loyal patronage to this establishment. Walls are covered in signatures and comments of their customers and friends. One piece of customer "wall art" near our table said, "Backyard BBQ Pit put the "B" in barbecue!" I would not disagree. The barbecue definitely has an authentic smoked flavor. No fake liquid smoke here. The mac and cheese was over the top. Don't expect it to be friendly to your waist--you will find a puddle of butter underneath it as you're eating! One of the customers ahead of us asked the man serving up the sides to get him some of the "crunchy mac and cheese from the corners of the pan" to put on his plate. The server obliged him with a big smile! One thing I judge a bbq restaurant by is their cole slaw. Most restaurants fail on this one, as they seem to concentrate almost solely on the bbq. Backyard has probably the best cole slaw I've had in any restaurant. Not just chopped up cabbage stalk, lacking in color and flavor, but rather a flavorful and eye-appealing blend that perfectly complements the main courses. You like crispy fried okra, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and beautifully golden browned hush puppies? They've got it covered! And you can tell they didn't just open a can and dump it into a serving bin. They worked over this food! True SOUL food! Everything about this place is just real! Great food at reasonable prices, service with a smile, and a guarantee you'll want to come back and bring friends. My son, who is an attorney in the Durham area, loves to seek out this sort of place and says Durham is where it's at when it comes to great food. He nailed it on this one!
(5)Craig B.
Incredible BBQ. With 148 reviews and 4 starts, there is very little I have to add. Always get the working man's special, with slaw. My sides are the sweet potatoes and mac & cheese. I have thought about having something else, but when we go once a week, the special is all I can think of. Also, at $4.99, it might be the best deal in town. Parking can be tricky, and making a left back onto 55 is tough. Be careful when you turn in, the driveway is big enough for 1.5 cars.
(5)Shannon P.
I visited this restaurant for the second time every today. The customer service here is top notch! They really work hard to make sure their customers feel comfortable and welcome. I recommend the "Working Man's Special", which only costs $4.99 for a pork sandwich is two sides. Yes, you get all of that food for that LOW price! I didn't like the macaroni and cheese, as I felt it lacked flavor. It was unnecessarily loaded with cheese, but the other items I've tried are delicious (ribs, pork sandwich, beans, string beans). I highly recommend visiting this place at least once. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Chip M.
My wife and I have made a significant effort to find hole-in-the-wall eateries. Our simple equation goes as follows: sketchy building/area + uncertain cleanliness = awesome food experience. I know some may disagree, but we have rarely been disappointed! Backyard BBQ pit is perhaps one of the finest examples. First off, the staff is top-rate. They are fun, interesting and aren't afraid to tell it how they see it. I'm pretty sure they place all their confidence in their food to keep customers coming back, and well, they've got us hooked. They offer the standard BBQ joint fare, pulled pork, BBQ ribs, brisket, fried fish and all the fixings one would expect from a southern establishment. We typically go for the pulled pork as it is among the best we have had (wife is from Eastern NC, so she prides herself as quite the expert). It's so good in fact, that if you happen to stop by much past 6pm, it's likely they won't have any left. The first time this happened left us both brokenhearted but oddly satisfied that we indeed made the right decision to patron this locale. A good sign we weren't the only ones who were in on the secret. The sides are excellent as well. Hush puppies are well cooked, crispy on the outside and moist/chewy on the inside. Greens complement the pork beautifully, slaw is the finely chopped style fit for a pulled pork sammie and the okra and mac n cheese are near perfection. The yams are not to my liking, a little too syrupy/sweet for my taste, but to each his own I suppose. Lastly the atmosphere is great. It's located in a rather rundown building, potholed parking lot (which does get quite muddy when it rains), sticky floors, old cafeteria style seating and possibly a light film of something on everything. While that may SOUND less than appealing, I assure you it MAKES the experience. This is the real deal. The focus is on the food, the rest is periphery; you know it after the first bite.
(4)Jesse P.
Worst idea ever. They didn't have BBQ pork or chicken or brisket or fried chicken. It was Saturday January 31 2014 at 645pm. The staff were really ghetto and rude. Atmosphere was dirty and trashy. There are a lot of other dinning options in the area for the same prices. Don't eat here unless you want frozen fish or a disease.
(1)Rick Y.
Great Pork, love smelling the smoke in parking lot. Working Mans Special: Pork Sandwich, 2 sides $5.
(5)Joe P.
Not terrible but I can tell the pork wasn't smoked there and the veggies came from cans or boxes. Again, I can't call it awful and prices are fantastic. Won't call it the best I've ever had or the worst. It will get you by when hungry.
(3)Mike W.
The BBQ (both the pork and the turkey) are great. The hushpuppies are one of the best I have tasted. The sweet tea is good too, if you like sweet tea. The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star review is the slaw. The slaw is too finely chopped for my taste and the texture just isn't right when you eat it alone. On top of a bbq sandwich it is ok, but to eat by itself it is mushy.
(4)Avia D.
Value and taste is amazing, very home-cooked. The atmosphere could be better but I'm there for the food
(5)Karen K.
I LOVE THIS PLACE. I wish they had one of these in NorCal. I go back every time I am in the area. I get the ribs plate with collard greens and mac&cheese or yams. Freaking wonderful.
(5)Muj A.
Beef Brisket is out of this world. Haven't been to a lot of authentic bbq places so I'm no expert, but I thought this place was incredible.
(5)Ashley D.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? I will preface this with I LOVE BBQ. I'm a Southern girl and a bbq snob. I like my bbq eastern style with vinegar and spice. Backyard fits the bill. Then you add in the best Mac-n-cheese in the world and pineapple lemonade and I fall hard. The place has character with writing all over the walls and fly paper to greet you. So don't expect a 5 star decor but do expect some amazing food!
(4)Nothing But The Truth T.
Awesome people, Good food. Saw them on Man vs Food went down to Durham and it was worth it. I will go back. Wrote my name on the wall. Very cool spot.
(4)Josh T.
Not much to say here that hasn't already been said. I found their ribs to be transcendent and the mac & cheese to die for. The place is a hole in the wall but is owned by a Brother Mason who proudly displays a square & compass on the menu board.
(5)John S.
A fun experience and quite different from the other joints in town. Excellent sides, particularly the mac and hushpuppies, and love the brisket. Worth the trip.
(5)Luke D.
Unbelievable prices for the quality and amount of food that you get. Definitely a place to go if you're looking for a fun, casual night with some delicious BBQ.
(5)Spence B.
I came to Backyard BBQ on my trip to NC, and i had to write it up. This place is top notch, the food, the service, the price. We drove 45 minutes to get there but I'm glad we did. The atmosphere seems kinda shabby, but everything else made up for it. Actually I kinda liked the look of the place anyway, the walls were all written on and tagged up from everyone who has been there over the years. Obviously I avoided the swine cuz I'm not into that sorta thing, but the chicken was the truth. If your in the Durham or Greesboro area, hit this place up.
(5)Dave L.
Wow I need a nap after Backyard BBQ. This is often the case when my lunch consists of the brown and yellow food groups. But every time I visit Backyard BBQ I find it impossible to pass up the mac-n-cheese, black-eyed peas and the hush puppies. There are other choices for sides that look a little healthier like greens with pork fat or green beans with bacon - I try to go all out with yellow or brown foods though. The BBQ - fantastic. Pulled pork is great, love the taste, texture and style of the brisket, and the fried chicken is nearly as good as my Mother-in-laws. The only thing that would make this place better is a couple of lazy boy recliners in the back with a large screen TV so I could proceed directly into a food coma after lunch as opposed to struggling to drive my car back to the office.
(5)Donny A.
Not just the best BBQ restaurant I've ever been to... Not just the best restaurant I've ever been to in NC... But it's THE best restaurant I've ever been to in my 29 years walking this earth. You'll pass an ABC store if you're coming from Cary on 55. If you're coming from Durham, you'll pass Golden Corral. Trust me. Do not stop at either. You'll be both as full as a tick, and drunk off of food when you leave Backyard. You'll sit in your car after the meal and think of who you're going to call first to tell them about what had just happened - it's like winning the food lotto every meal, and well worth the price of the ticket. Sign your name to the wall. Let Big Paulie and his family know how much they're appreciated by not just the local folks, but from people all over the country who go out of their way to make the visit. He treated my family as if we were their family. I've never experienced service like that. Accompanied with the food that I simply can't describe... other than to say that I've never eaten anything there that I don't follow up with "is the best I've ever had." Seriously. Try it. Mac and Cheese? Best I've ever had. Ribs? Best I've ever had. Brisket? Best I've ever had. NC BBQ? Best I've ever had. I could go on. You get the picture. Now get in your car and get down there. If they're closed, make note of the hours, and get there early - if they run out of a menu item, they don't make anymore of it for that day. Go as many times as you can. Try everything on their menu. I promise you will not be disappointed.
(5)Brad G.
It's greasy, cheap, quick, and delicious - how can you go wrong? Over the past few years, Backyard has had quite a few names: Lewis, AW's, and another one that I can't remember offhand. Of all its iterations, though, Backyard seems to be the most popular. Serving up Southern-fried favorites from those familiar silver warming trays, it has carved out a niche and rooted itself firmly in the RTP lunch scene. Techheads and paper-pushers who aren't in the mood for fast-food or international fare pour into this down-home eatery to fill their stomachs with some of NC's finest bbq and fixins'. The center "island" of the restaurant always has a handful of bottles with different bbq sauces, but none is ever labeled. One is a bit hotter than the others (it's the thinner, more vinegar-y looking one), but I've tried them all and they all complement the pork very well. As for the sides, you'll want to get an extra side order of hushpuppies - Backyard's are the kind of perfection you'd expect from an out-of-the way spot in Eastern NC. Being a Down East native myself, Backyard serves as a little taste of home that's right on my way home from work.
(4)Laura P.
Delicious! The ambiance leaves, um, something to be desired, but the food more than makes up for it. The Brunswick Stew was out of this freaking world, and the mac & cheese was incredible. They didn't have brisket when I was there, but I'm going back to get some, that's for darn sure.
(4)Matt B.
OK...so I know I'm a yankee, so I my opinion might be slightly enamored, but this place is amazing. I got the pulled pork sandwich with some slaw and the thick bqq sauce. Sweet meat with just enough vinegar zing. Moist on a potato roll...I could have had three. I got a side of the mac and cheese and some hush puppies. My bro-in-law got some fried okra as well. The mac and cheese was a little oily from all of the cheddar, but the hush puppies are the best I've ever had. Light on atmosphere but big on taste. The folks behind the counter were friendly and helpful, and the food was divine. Oh, and try the sweet tea - amazing. I know when I get back home, this will be one of the things that
(5)Elizabeth B.
I love this place! I love the mac and cheese and greens and the people are very friendly.
(5)Danny B.
I fell in LOVE with this place when I first first discovered it. We've had some bumps along the way (including rude staff and staff members being obviously inebriated/high when serving the food and spilling mac and cheese all over the place), but what can I say? The food tastes better than my Grandmother's. I didn't think that was possible. Their BBQ is cooked to the T. Not sure where you will find better. If you like southern food, you have to come to this place.
(4)Randall R.
The best bbq anywhere. The pulled pork is perfect, the ribs are fantastic, the sides are better than anything anywhere else. The staff is very friendly. The prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is perfect for an NC BBQ place. The Eastern style sauce is perfect. They offer heavier sauces as well, which I am willing to tolerate, but its sad to watch someone destroy such a perfect meal. :) The only possible drawback I can think of - hours of operation. They close Saturdays at 6 PM, which has kept me from going several times. But if they were open for one hour from 3 AM - 4 AM on Tuesday, I would still find a way to make it there now and then. Now I think I'm going to have to go there today.
(5)Dean B.
A buddy and I stopped in at almost 2PM and the parking lot was still packed. This was a good sign. The enormous smoker behind the restaurant was another good sign. The counter staff were very efficient at clearing the line of 10 people in front of me, but have a friend snag a table while one orders or you could be walking around looking for a place to sit down. Folks take their time eating here (not a bad thing). We both decided on the BBQ plate, which is pulled pork and choice of sides. For my buddy, he had collard greens an potato salad. I had potato salad and green beans. The pulled pork has a VERY assertive smoke flavor that can be mistaken initially for saltiness. The potato salad and green beans were what you'd expect in a cafeteria line. Be prepared to sweat in the summer. The heat index outside was 99, and it was only a few degrees cooler inside. This is a little hike from Morrisville or Cary, so I think I'll stick with Danny's when I'm in town. Disclosure: I am a Texan, so my idea of BBQ is from a little different perspective.
(3)Christina G.
Tough call. The folks working here are the :epitome: of Southern hospitality -- sweet, smiley, serving up heaps of soul food! My husband even got a complimentary pineapple lemonade (which was yum and had chunks of pineapple in it!) because the lady in charge thought it was a shame to order just water when you're treating yourself out! And a treat it was, at just $6 a plate. That's a bargain for as much homecooked food as you get. The inside kind of reminded me of the old Rathskeller -- a little dingy and lots of interesting graffiti; I like places with a little character to them! But now we get down to the real nitty-gritty -- the 'cue that is. Now ya'll know I'm no expert. But with the BBQ Joint and Q Shack in my Rolodex of reviews, I do have some experience to weigh in. And I've got to say I found this to be a little lacking. Not a ton of vinegar flavor and no spicy kick at all. I also didn't like how they only have one communal set of sauces, rather than a group on each table. For my sides, I went with mac n' cheese and white potatoes. The potatoes had an applesauce like texture with some potato lumps mixed in. Not my fave. And the mac n' cheese -- well, it was so heavy on the cheddar, it reminded me of when I was a freshman in college and tried to make broccoli and cheese -- and the melted cheddar just hardened and crusted on top (rather than being all smooth and velveta-y). The saving grace? The HUSH PUPPIES. I could make a meal off of 'em. And maybe next time I will!
(3)Casey L.
Backyard BBQ Pit is exactly what a North Carolina BBQ restaurant should be. Old-school mounted booths and tables with customer graffiti written all over the walls (most of it praising the BBQ). Their excellent ribs, BBQ, chicken, and sides are served cafeteria style by very friendly folks. My favorite is the "working man's special," a BBQ sandwich with two sides for only $4.99! I usually go with mac and cheese and fried okra. The young woman that regularly plays live country music is a nice addition to the restaurant's ambiance.
(4)Jonathan C.
Good food, affordable prices. I had the pulled pork which was spiced perfectly. The only issue is the smell of bbq stays with you the rest of the day, but it is definitely worth it! My coworker decided to get the ribs which he assured me were delicious. The side portions of hush puppies (in ball form) and mac and cheese set the whole meal off for me. If you are looking for a great BBQ spot when you're in Durham, this is a nice stop.
(4)Pamela S.
We had landed in at Raleigh-Durham a short while before and desperately needed fortification. We drove straight here after picking up our rental car (and being thrown off for a bit by a couple fruitless Google Map searches). It was hot -- the loud fan didn't do much -- but tolerable. The barbecue was ready immediately (I got the sandwich lunch) but the fish was about a 10-minute wait. My sandwich was delicious, the pork was super tender, and it was topped with coleslaw. I had the mac and cheese and collard greens as my two sides, at their suggestion. I liked the mac and cheese, but I think I'm just not that into collard greens in general. My friend's serving of fried catfish -- two huge fillets -- looked delicious and perfectly cooked, and also came with two sides. It's casual, simple, tasty, and quick.
(4)Jonathan K.
On the surface, this seems like just the type of hole-in-the-wall place to get some good grub at a reasonable price. However, I can't say that was my experience. The food was decent but this being the South, I expected better BBQ. The pulled pork I had was heavily salted -- way more than what I'd expect and the sides were not exactly inviting. I wouldn't really recommend it as a stable lunch place.
(2)Matt L.
All I can say is wow. The smothered white meat chicken was just so moist, the hush puppies light and fluffy, the collards perfectly acidic. And the mac and cheese. Oh the mac and cheese. Could have used a touch more salt but this is an old school super cheesy, absolutely perfect mac and cheese. Yes, decor resembles my high school cafeteria, and yes, an 8 pm close is hardly acceptable to this yankee, but my oh my. I'd go back for fourthmeal, but it's after 8. C'est la vie -- there's always tomorrow.
(5)Oliver C.
I asked the reception at my hotel where's good BBQ, and he told me this place... and he said that "people seem to like it." I just had the ribs (two giant ones) and chicken (maybe a third of a chicken) combo plate, with two sides (mac n cheese and green beans) and now I'm way full. It didn't look like that much in the serving trays... but looked much bigger on the plate. The place is a hole in the wall, and that's kind of being polite. If it didn't smell so good outside, I would have never walked inside, but you have to give it a go... Made it there 15 minutes before they closed at 8pm, and they were locking the door 5 minutes after I arrived... Must be southern punctuality.. and glad I was rushing for once... But anyways, for $13, the combo plate was gut busting filling and fall off the bone, moist and delicious. Came with 3 hush puppies, and they were soooo good. The mac and cheese, somehow stays kind of moist despite sitting in a big ol' tray over steaming water. And the string beans must be for people with no teeth. Maybe just not my cup of tea. I could have done without the sides and just had more hush puppy goodness.
(4)Tyler B.
Incredible. Was in from out of town and stopped in for lunch. The staff was extremely friendly and the food was amazing. It was easily the best pulled pork I've ever had. The flavors were subtle and traditional (vinegar) with no heavy sauce to overwhelm. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Bernard C.
Aloha! Never been to NC before and if this is considered good BBQ. I can understand why. The basket was unreal. Mmmmmm. Definitely "Ono kind grinds" Only one thing they need, rice.
(5)K L.
Tender, flavorful, and delicious ribs! The meat falls right off of the bone and it comes with good sides. I got the sweet potato and mac & cheese. Mac & cheese was very greasy and was OK. The sweet potato was awesome and it melts in your mouth. I added the chili vinegar sauce and BBQ sauce to the meal and it made the meal even better. The BBQ sandwich is just OK in my opinion. The meat is chopped up and in my opinion, the meat is chopped up too fine. I think I prefer pulled BBQ meats. The restaurant itself is a no frills type of place. Just your basic necessities; basic tables and seating. Feel free to leave your mark by autographing their wall. A memorable dining experience for me.
(5)Bucky T.
When I see all of these great reviews of this place, I have to scratch my head and wonder what the hell is everybody drinking? This place is just not very good. The fact that everyone rates it so high supports my opinion that there is not any really good BBQ in this area. If those of you who like this so much were to ever go to a pig-pickin' done by somebody who knows what they're doing, you will quickly change your tune. I go here from time to time because it is only a couple of miles from my house, but my last visit may have been my last. There were too damn many flies in the place. The lady who owns the place was back by the kitchen door with a flyswatter just whacking away the entire time I was there. It was nauseating. I stopped eating and left. A year or so ago, they were better than they are today. Today, their BBQ is way way way over-sauced. There is so much sauce in their BBQ that it puddles in the plate. You cannot taste the meat, which they actually cook over wood out back. They ruin what would be good, smokey pork with so much sauce that it makes your mouth pucker! Their side dishes are good, but used to be better. I used to never eat collard greens until I tried them here and loved them. Now all they serve are collard stems. It's a shame to any Southerner. They do serve and adequate Brunswick Stew. I quit eating their BBQ for reasons stated above and started ordering their fish. Their fish selection is good - many varieties such as Trout, Croaker, Catfish and Flounder. It's pretty good fish albeit on the greasy side. The grease will drip onto the Styrofoam plate. If you can tolerate seeing the greasy plate, then by all means, dig in! Skip the tartar sauce - you will regret eating it. I got sick on it. I guess that it had gone over on them. In my opinion, the ribs are over cooked. Once the cook them, they sit them in a pan on the steam table swimming in sauce, which only serves to wear out the fresh flavor. What they should do is cook their ribs dry (no sauce) and then grill them when ordered and offer them wet or dry to the customer. The folks that own and operate this place are probably the friendliest restauranteurs that I have ever encountered. They obviously enjoy their business. It is always a pleasure to see them. I just wish that they had better BBQ. It's just too saucy for me to eat any more. And the flies...... DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FLIES !!!!
(2)Jonathan V.
I would rate the BBQ 3 stars. But the side items I would rate as 5 stars. The potato salad was the best I have ever had. The slaw, yams, green beans and macaroni and cheese were excellent. The young guy that made my plate recommended the fish. If I ever go back, I'll try that.
(4)Gina S.
Amazing!!!!! So good you'll lick your plate clean!
(5)Mark S.
Backyard bbq pit is def. a place to check out. It's a solid mom and pop joint. One doesn't come here for the ambience. Instead come and try their pork bbq, chicken, and fish entrees... all above average. You can't leave without trying their mac & cheese...Hands down the Best Mac & Cheese EVERRRRRRRRR!!!
(4)Phil G.
I'm on a BBQ kick so I was looking forward to trying Backyard BBQ Pit. This place had that sincere southern feel that you just can't recreate unless you're in the South. The indoor is a little odd but that's part of what makes this place unique. There's handwritten messages and artwork over every inch of the walls. Next time I am bringing a Sharpie. The space is relatively small and the ceilings are low. This isn't really a problem because I don't think you'd come here for the ambiance. I ordered the BBQ plate with side of collards and potato salad. The BBQ was just the way I like it. My wife was not a fan though. This is not her review so I'll ask the jury to disregard that information (seriously, forget that you ever heard that). The BBQ was NC-style with plenty of vinegar. Collards are not something I normally I have but they too were awesome. The potato salad was typical. Each plate also gets a few hush puppies which are nice and fluffy. I tasted the mac and cheese but I would advise you to stay away from these. They use just cheddar cheese which hardens over the pasta that looks like a heart attack. They need to use a creamier cheese. The nice lady putting food on the plates suggested I try some of her pineapple lemonade. Not one to be up-sold, she forcefully poured me a cup. Amidst the confusion, I didn't even realize I was getting it for free and 'til this day have not had a chance to thank her. So, thank you nice lady for the free lemonade :)
(4)Michael F.
If I were rating just the BBQ pork, it'd be 5 stars. I'm not a *huge* fan of the sides (pretty greasy, but I suppose that's standard for BBQ), so I figured I'd go with 4 stars. But their BBQ on a bun with the coleslaw is amazing and anyone who says otherwise is nuts!
(4)Tom D.
I have eaten BBQ all over this country, and I have to say the pulled pork at this place is probably the best I have had. The mac and cheese was great too, collard greens very good. Nice staff too. The place is nothing to look at but you aren't paying for the view. I visit RTP regularly for work and I am so happy I found this place because there isn't much in the RTP area. Oh the chicken was very good too. I did not try ribs or brisket as I didn't think that was the specialty here. The best ribs in the country are at Pappy's in St. Louis and the best burnt ends are at Big T's in Kansas City.
(5)Jim N.
Went back for a late lunch after being out of town for 4-mo and my wife and I both got the BBQ chicken. Sides were fantastic....as always....but the BBQ Chicken was the best I've EVER had....wow....I always thought Spring Creek BBQ in Dallas had the best BBQ chicken I'd had....but this from Backyard is amazing, and makes every other place seem second rate! If you live within an hour of this place, drive and try it right away. You can develop seriously addictive cravings for this stuff.....my wife thought I was nuts until she tried the chicken and she doesn't want to go anywhere else now!
(5)Michael E.
Whatever you do make sure you use the entrance off of 54 directly in front of Backyard BBQ. I tried to be slick and pull in the business before only to be met with a grass berm. Needless to say I had visions of the Dukes of Hazard run through my head before I realized I was driving Brit's car and she probably would not appreciate the undercarriage damage from my cavorting. So on with the show. I met a buddy out here for lunch. The line was long but moving relatively quick. This place is not your sparkling, modern dining room in a newer establishment. There's some age there. You can almost hear the brick facade sigh from age and weight. The staff here is welcoming and courteous. I ordered their Pork BBQ, with brunswick stew and the greens. The BBQ was melt in your mouth good. Tangy, tart and very moist. I wish I'd have had some crispy bits to add some texture to the butteriness of the pork. The greens were sweet and bitter, with the saltiness added from the vinegar and bacon. The brunswick stew was filling and hearty. Three sweet corn hushpuppies come with the meal and were almost like dessert - crispy doughy balls of fluffy goodness. The pineapple lemonade with free refills is where it's at. A cool refreshing drink, that had I not been heading back to work would've definitely had an addition from the ABC store next door. Good food, good people, I'll be back. The live music in the restaurant by one of the relatives of the owners was a nice change to the hustle and bustle of the establishment.
(4)Dwayne H.
Ummmmm.....you better know what you want before you get up to the front. There was a long line and people were indecisive about what they wanted. So there was a HUGE announcement made to pick your meats here and get your sides here and then pay. And it wasn't in the friendliest tone, not rude but not motherly either. My dad got a catfish dinner with cabbage and mac n cheese, I got bbq plate with mac n cheese and fried okra. The meat was excellent the mac n cheese is a once a year type of eat with maybe a cup of cheese per noodle but it was good. The hush puppies and fried okra were ok. My dad really liked his food. I would eat here again! By the way, parking is TIGHT and the lines can be long, worth it all for the bbq though! I got a fresh batch of okra that wasn't ready with my plate so as I was fixing my condiments they kept yelling fried okra, didn't know they were talking to me but yep, so if your side is not ready to put in the box listen for it when you sit down. The cashier was very friendly. If you go and it is raining outside be careful walking into the bathroom because it is super slick.
(3)Corey S.
This is a great BBQ dive joint. They have the best pulled pork I've eaten. Being from Texas, I like smoked brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage better, but this is the first place I really liked the local BBQ tradition. They smoke the meat low and slow the way you are supposed to. Just start with the pulled pork sandwich, it is one of the best food deals around. Unbelievable value. The smoked brisket is not quite up to snuff but I have very, very high standards (only select Texas restaurants make it right), but it is tender - make sure to add some sauce or salt and pepper.
(5)stacy W.
It's BBQ :P (that's me licking my lips) It's Delicious :} PINEAPPLE LEMONADE. :') (that's me crying with joy) I live down the street from these guys so I can't speak to the dine-in experience. The first time I ventured in here was months after I moved down here. A friend of mine from back home basically screamed at me for not trying this place out. SO - i had to go :) I was in one of those annoying indecisive moods that evening. Yeah - you know the person that just stands there staring and asking every possible question about what it tastes like - that's me. The girls behind the counter were delighted to make my try everything.... EVERYTHING. I was actually a little stuffed from the testing. Don't worry I brought home some chicks and mac and cheese and hush puppies anyway! I'm not a big giver of 5 stars but this is my 5 star local bbq place. it's perfect for me. a little dive-y, they're fast and even though NC style bbq isn't my first choice - they do it RIGHT. I think most of all the service, the people in here are absolutely wonderful. and they make this world a better place by distributing something called pineapple lemonade. a tall icy glass of this stuff, and a plate of bbq goodness from backyard IN my own backyard is the definition of a perfect summer weeknight at home.
(5)Tri T.
If you're looking for down home soul food, Backyard BBQ is the right place. The food is amazing and the only thing that's missing is fried chicken. Come get your ribs, pulled pork, fried fish, bbq chicken, and all the fixens. I was so excited when I came across this and will gladly come back any day of the week. The decor leaves much to be desired but you can tell it's a family establishment and a neighborhood friendly type of environment. I witnessed the daughter singing as she played her guitar to a group of family friends. Everyone stood up and clapped. Really talented and a pleasant surprise.
(5)Donald B.
Staff was very friendly and the BBQ was good. A great authentic place for Carolina BBQ. Do note that this place closes early at 8PM and they do run out of certain items as it gets close to closing time. BTW: this place is right next to the state controlled ABC (liquor) store.
(5)Ryan M.
I saw Backyard BBQ Pit on Man v. Food and knew I'd soon be making a visit. Always a fan of barbecue even before moving to the "Pork Capital of the United States" ... I was ready to go and it's location close to my office sealed the deal....I'd be making a trip as soon as possible. As soon as possible became Wednesday's lunch as a two colleagues and myself headed out. It was an early lunch, so we walked into a sparsely filled place. The owner greeted us warmly upon entry ... and engaged us in some good natured ribbing about being Northerners. My anticipation grew as I studied the menu and absorbed the clean but no frills environment where the food is the obvious focus. I ordered the barbecue (known as chopped/pulled pork in my former life as a northerner) and chose brunswick stew and fried okra as my two sides. The barbecue was excellent, perfectly balanced and really melted in your mouth. The fried okra is done per order, cut, battered and fried right then. This was definitely a welcome surprise as I was not expecting this. The brunswick stew was very good.. and the hushpuppies were extremely light and fluffy. The only thing even remotely negative I could come up with if absolutely forced to do so, despite their wonderful texture, the hushpuppies were a tad bland in taste.. but this was easily overcome by drowning them in hot sauce! Overall, I absolutely love this place and it was the inspiration for me to start writing reviews.
(5)Matt M.
I have hit most of the players for Eastern NC style BBQ; Allen and Son, Hog Heaven, Barbecue Lodge, Original Q Shack, Bullocks and even The Pit. As far as the pork is concerned; look no further. This is the best. Tender, smokey, great texture, expertly seasoned. They also win top prize for their Collards, Mac & Cheese and Catfish. That is not a throwaway statement; it's well earned. The Mac & Cheese has a layer of real cheese; it's tender but not mushy. The catfish is crispy, hot and tender. The collards? Unbelievable. If you think you don't like greens I would challenge you with these. You will walk away a convert. Is everything here perfect? No. Their Brunswick stew is too sweet to my tastes. I don't recommend the brisket. The ribs didn't look all that appealing, and they really need a soda fountain. (drinks come in cans with a cup of ice, blech) Everything is served in foam containers, eat in or not. Service can be brusk. The atmosphere is very casual; the walls scribbled with the signatures of thousands of fans. some tables, a TV in the corner. There's a little stage in the corner for live music, but I've never been in the evening.
(4)Andrea P.
By the looks and location of the restaurant you would NEVER KNOW that the world's BEST food was inside! The Mac & Cheese is to DIE FOR, I swear I could have licked my plate when we were finished! The first time we went was right after we moved here and my husband could smell the food and insisted we find out what was inside! So glad we did. The staff is friendly! The only problem we have found is that if you don't go early (i.e. way before 12pm) you will not be able to get inside or find parking! The "Working Man's" Special is the way to go!
(5)Richard P.
we tried beef short rib and fried chicken. delicious. mac and cheese, greens. and creamed corn. banana pudding was good. i like mine with a few more wafers. and ashleigh provided the kind of customer service you get at 5 star restaurants.
(5)Pebbles W.
Absolutely delicious BBQ! Exactly what BBQ should be! All you haters going on about service need to head over to The Pit if you want chi-chi atmosphere, & overpriced food! If you want the REAL DEAL...Backyard BBQ is it!
(5)Yung B.
This place has solid BBQ, well cooked with good flavor, never dry. It isn't quite as smoky tasting as some places but it's really good. I go for a combo of their vinegar sauce and hot sauce. Slaw on the sandwich is a must. The pork plate has quite a bit more meat and comes with hushpuppies. But the sandwich plate is still plenty of food, and at 5 bucks, pretty much as cheap as it gets for lunch. Sides are almost the more interesting half of a BBQ restaurant review because they are so wildly inconsistent. Typically a place will have a max of 2 or 3 sides that are good and the rest are terrible. With Backyard the collard greens and cabbage are unbeatable, but I really can't mess with anything else. So many reviewers love the mac and cheese but to me it's pasta with a bunch of melted mild cheddar. The baked beans and brunswick stew both have promising flavor elements that are masked by way, way too much sweetness. Stick with the collards and cabbage, put hot sauce on both of them, and you will be happy.
(4)Jeremy P.
Best BBQ in the area. Their ribs are to die for. Fall off the bone tender with tasty sauce that's so good I have them pour it on my chopped pork when I get it. Sides all taste like homemade. Last week they ran out of pork ribs but he had some beef ribs that day and he let me sample them. The meat melted in my mouth and I happily devoured my first ever plate of fall off the bone beef BBQ. I love this place. If I had to list any negative it would be that on some busy days if you don't get ribs early they'll be out of them by the time you swing by on your way home from work.
(5)Mario O.
Good eats; great price. While no aficionado, I have eaten more than my share of BBQ. Backyard BBQ Pit stacked up against some top notch competition. In the end, I just like a good flavor and the right price ... and it was delivered. The ambiance leaves much to be desired if the name had not set the right expectation. I had the pulled pork and rib combo plate. Not that it matters as much, but my sides were good -- fried ochra and green beans. The meat was scrumdilly-icious. Without any sauce, the pulled pork was tender and flavor full. They had basically one sauce (plus some hot sauce and buffalo sauce), which was all I needed ... not too vinegary or sweet; nice. Although the ribs were a bit crispy/chewy in one spot, the rest was dang tasty. Walking away $12 lighter fits most budgets nowadays ... much lower cost for just one meat. Bon Appetite ... or whatever translates (Suey?)
(4)Faith X.
This place is awesome! Growing up with Texas BBQ (tomato-based), I'm normally not a fan of the Carolina-style vinegar based BBQ but the BBQ pork here is AMAZING! The hush puppies are to-die-for! They're fluffy and remind me of a beignet sans sugar. The mac and cheese is oh-so-cheesy and amazingggg....I don't think I've seen cheesier goodness. :)
(5)Brad C.
Hole in the wall for sure, but this is some great BBQ and very fair prices. I particuarly like the chopped/pulled pork with vinegar sauce. Even when a line backs up, it doesn't take long to get to your seat with food.
(5)Barbara B.
This place is a perfect example of don't judge a book by it's cover. Backyard BBQ looks like it belong on a rural back road somewhere and the interior has a divey cafeteria feel to it. And everything here will come in plastic - plastic cups, plastic plates, and plastic silverware. But don't be fooled - the food here is amazing! Lunch is well priced and relatively cheap and all entrees come with two sides. I got the ribs with sides of mac and cheese and sweet potato and everything was fantastic. The ribs were well flavored and just falling off the bone tender. I tried my friend's pulled pork and it was equally good. I will definitely take this place over The Pit in Raleigh anytime.
(4)Julie P.
While driving down the 5 hrs with a friend in the wee hours of the morning, I could not stop the visions of ribs and brisket from dancing in my head. So in the afternoon, when a local friend told me she'd take me to an authentic BBQ place, I couldn't help but happily agree. But as you all know, in many cases, being hyped up pre-eating can end up in a not so bomb-diggidy experience. We had the brisket plate and ribs plate... and OMG ....I do NOT over-react when I say that none of my expectations were in the least let down by the AMAZING morsels of food that entered my mouth. From the falling-off-the-bones tender ribs, melt-in-your mouth brisket, and the sweet but tangy coleslaw to the delicious crumbly hush puppies, my taste buds were overwhelmed with epicurian delights. I will be back again Backyard BBQ. Even if I have to make the 5 hr trip back! P.S. not only does this place do good food, they let you stand on the chairs and draw on the walls too! Heaven in my eyes~ ^^
(5)Stacy H.
I love this place! Having grown up in the south I'm use to eating soul food! Missing the Chicken wednesdays and Fish Fridays from college I was super happy when I found this place! The only spot where I can find excellent fried fish! Their BBQ is always on point as well as their numerous sides especially the Mac and cheese and okra! The staff are always super friendly especially if your a female! Just to note this is an African American restaurant but I'm always surprised to see it so diverse, I guess everybody loves good food. By the way......it's a total hole in the wall, just order your food, eat and enjoy dont worry about the decor lol. You can also sign the wall which my dad did last year when we stopped in!
(5)Sho S.
This place has good food, but very poor customer service and bad practices. As a server you should not drink beverages between serving food. Also you should not alternate between handling money and serving food without washing your hands! Today will be the last time I eat here.
(1)Michael C.
Very tasty, rib-sticking BBQ. I had ribs, pulled pork and chicken. All 3 were perfectly cooked and delicious. The sides of mac-n-cheese and cabbage were also quite good. One knock: I'd recommend washing your hands BEFORE coming here as the bathrooms are so disgusting, the effort to do so here might actually add to the bacteria on your hands.
(4)Alli J.
soooo gooood!
(5)Kevin H.
Great authentic BBQ at dirt-cheap prices. Some concerns about the cleanliness of the place, but I guess that comes with the whole "dive" atmosphere. Worth giving a try.
(4)P G.
This place is awesome and so accommodating. The food is excellent, the owners are super nice and their customer service goes above and beyond. I've had almost everything on the menus. Try it! One of those spots that the locals/ those who work in the RTP area know all about. You won't be sorry!
(5)Nick T.
I've lived near Backyard BBQ Pit for some time, but could never find a good time to stop in. Finally one recent Friday night my son and I found ourselves in need of dinner with no plan. Off we went. When we arrived we were greeted by a very long line. No big deal. It's Friday night and a long line is usually a good sign. We waited about 20 minutes before we made way to the counter. This is where things began to go South. The food was scooped trays like slop into a pig trough. It was just a big mess. I can understand a little spillover, but this wasn't that. By the time we sat down we had some weird yam juice/green been juice/cheese soup on just about everything in the trays. Also, where was the slaw? A barbecue sandwich in NC without slaw? Strange. Still, it was dinner so we ate it. I can deal with a lot for good barbecue. Unfortunately, this was also a miss. I grew up in central NC and I've been to a lot of barbecue joints in my life. I'm currently about halfway through visits to all of the locations on the NC Barbecue Society's Historic Barbecue Trail. Based on those visits, I'd say this is not a good representation of an NC barbecue restaurant. Not much flavor, greasy and the smallest portion of anything on the plate. I'd normally ding the place for no AC and the overall cleanliness, but those things aren't so important to me in a barbecue restaurant. It may be worth knowing for some people, though. Two stars because they had brunswick stew on the night I visited. More barbecue joints in NC should take note of this. Otherwise, probably just one star from me. Not impressed.
(2)Leo C.
Get the RIBS!!!
(5)T E.
Nice little hole in the wall type restaurant. Good food, good prices. Chicken was tasty, Mac n cheese was quite delicious. Would visit again if I return to Durham.
(4)Indy J.
Small place, great food, generous and friendly folks!
(5)Rey V.
My wife and I went here today and we enjoyed the rib plate and the bbq plate (pulled pork). It was Delicious. It is family owned and you can tell by the workers there. All of the workers were very helpful and respectful. There are also a lot of sides to choose from.
(5)lady b.
OMG!!! I LOVE BBQ. After seeing this place on Man vs. food I had to have some. I wasn't sure because the actual building wasn't that wonderful but that food was delicious!!! My food was only $4.99 and tasted home cooked! I will be returning in the near future... possibly tomorrow!
(5)Andrew T.
The. Winner. My parents had visited on their last NC BBQ trip, and as the evening got late, and we found ourselves unable to visit some of the spots we had yet to try, this was our bailout option. Oh, darn. It's simple - get the chopped pork. Get whatever sides you want, but the mac and cheese has the best texture, plus their collards are awfully good. The pork comes in a huge serving for about $6.50 with those sides. It's moist, smokey, with complex flavor, easily, head and shoulders, the best pork I've had on this trip, and quite possibly ever. The sauce is delicious - but it's barely there. Just enough to bring out the flavor in the pork, not enough to drown it or overwhelm it with vinegar flavor. This passes my five star test - if you put it in your mouth, close your eyes, and go "oh my god," then it's five stars. Winnar. They're cooking over hot coals, just out back, and you can smell it when you drive up. If that doesn't make you want to eat, there's something the matter. The folks are, just like everyone else, super friendly. Checking in, making sure we were OK, and when we ordered a slice of warm lemon pound cake to try, the girl who had baked it came out to see how it was - it was her first one to sell to the customers, and she was nervous to see how we liked it. And it was pretty good, with lemon peel in the cake for a little extra flavor. For about $1.50? Sure, I'm down. Of note, we got there about 7, and they were still busy, so any concerns about this being a lunch place were quickly dispelled. Everything was still fresh, and they were still doing a brisk business. The high reviews aren't unfounded. It's simple, but it's extremely delicious. We were thinking...if we were going to be in town tomorrow...we'd go here for lunch.
(5)Chris A.
Most of my family is from Florida or New York, and most of them have a warped idea of what Durham, North Carolina is like - they imagine I live in a town with gravel roads, drive a tractor, etc, etc, and other such stereotypes of the South. While these visions are way off base, Backyard BBQ Pit is probably the one thing in Durham that actually fits their stereotype, but in a really good way. BBQ has a sense of mysticism around it - great BBQ is as elusive as it is delicious, and everyone knows great BBQ can't be found in chains or upscale restaurants, oh no. I feel that in most people's minds, great BBQ is only found on the side of forgotten country roads, far off the beaten paths, cooked by someone in overalls with a tobacco leaf in his mouth. Well, I have great news - that forgotten country road is Hwy 55, it's not all that far off the beaten path, and it's served by some of the friendliest folks around. Best of all, the BBQ is out-of-this-world good, only rivaled by the insane goodness of the mac-n-cheese and hush puppies. Seriously, you will not find better BBQ and mac-n-cheese anywhere. For around $5, you can walk out with a BBQ sandwich, hush puppies and a side that will make you question why you ever eat anywhere else. Well, maybe because you would weigh 500lbs if you ate here everyday, but man, you would be the happiest beached whale of all time.
(5)Charlotte Y.
The pulled pork (so tender, not fatty, and seasons juuust right). The mac and cheese. The collards. The hushpuppies. The nice folks that work here. When I'm in Durham, I go to Backyard BBQ. Second only to Cooper's.
(4)Justin C.
Don't chop the pork to death. They get it right here. A pulled pork plate (especially a large) gets you plenty of beautiful pork bbq. Drop the pretension, get with this place. Freshly cooked food that is served right and if its gone, try and come earlier next time. Yes it looks like they had taken over a concrete bunker to serve it in, but the staff were very friendly. However... This is an African American owned business and I suppose may be intimidating to some of my caucasian friends. I was very comfortable and patrons and staff made me feel very welcome. All those caveats aside, one of the very sweet girls at the counter was having a rather loud discussion with a patron about some man who was rather good at providing a pleasure that he may have read about in the latest Cosmo. OK maybe not, but you get my drift. From behind the counter to the dining area about, "what's wrong with you not liking the tongue?!" etc etc. Not super obscene mind you but as discrete as a porno on mute perhaps. Anyway, I was wincing a bit as I had come to nosh with my 13 yo son. It seemed to go over his head as we enjoyed our dinner plates which were actually styrofoam take out boxes. As much as the convo was trying to be said with a very thick vernacular, for lack of a better term, being a native Memphian I can understand jive, just not speak it. Don't even try it. Back to the food, All the sides were excellent, so there was plenty to distract us. The mac and cheese while fussed over here was super cheesy and thick, though I'm not a fan of the super heavy style. Stick with your excellent soul food veggies. The slaw was finely chopped and cold and fresh. The sauces provided with the exception of the hot sauce seemed home-made. Despite my son's impromptu lesson, I'd definitely go back and take the kids. They were really very friendly. Just thought I'd add a bit to the discussion other than the obv.
(4)Alex W.
Woah, this place is good. I had the pork, ribs, brisket with mac n cheese, corn, and hushpuppies. Pork - great. Ribs - great. Mac n cheese - REALLY GREAT, probably the best I've ever had. Corn and hushpuppies were good as well. The brisket - eh...it's ok. I'm more of a Texas brisket fan and they cook it differently. I still prefer Texas brisket over NC brisket, but overall, this place is great. The people that run the place are really sweet as well. They gave us a brief tour of the smoker out back, which smelled great! I'm on the line between 4 and 5 stars due to the brisket, but I don't want to lower their rating so I'll go with 5 stars.
(5)Jesse L.
Great food, really nice people some of the best BBQ in NC
(5)Paul D.
Best NC BBQ around these parts-- and I don't really like NC-style BBQ! Better than Bullocks and the Pit. I would eat there every day of the week. The chicken, the pulled pork, the ribs... all good. The brisket is their weakest link, for the reasons others have posted here. The best brisket I've had in Durham is at the Q-Shack. That said, their sides are amazing, and the people are uber friendly. Great spot for sure!
(4)RINNA L.
Pretty awesome. I walked 2 miles down highway 55 after reading all the awesome reviews on Yelp to get to this place from my hotel. The food was amazing and cheap. 6 bucks for a pulled pork sandwich, side of mac and cheese, side of hush-puppies and a soda. The pulled pork was great and i love that they have all the options of sauces. Mac and cheese was ok - a little congealed, but still tasty. Hush-puppies were amazing - slightly cinnamon-y. the service was fast and courteous. the over-all atmosphere is slightly fast food-ish. I was hoping it was a place i could get a beer, some food and chill - but it's not really. More of a take-out place for dinner time. But being that tasty and cheap - go for it.
(4)Jim S.
Drove all the way from Atlanta on an emergency service call and this was the first stop, Did our service call then headed to Smokies for food to drive back to Atlanta for later. Backyard's pulled pork is great and the ribs are second to none in the wet catagory. Fried Okra and Mac and Cheese. they just don't make it this way in California. I really like the family feel of the people working there.
(5)Brittany B.
On a saturday afternoon we headed over to Backyard BBQ with the intention of having some excellent NC-style pulled pork BBQ. We've had it before and it is seriously some of the best in the area. Unfortunately, we were there later in the day (around 4, and they close at 6 on Saturday) so they were out of the pork BBQ and Ribs. No matter, this was an excuse to try something different (which I know I couldn't do otherwise!). Instead we got their beef brisket and bbq chicken. The beef brisket was actually a little bit of a let down since the flavor was lacking a bit and the meat was significantly fatty. The BBQ chicken was solid - everything I could expect from BBQ chicken (still not pulled pork, though!). The sides were as good as always - the Mac and Cheese is AMAZING, it is very obviously homemade and loaded with real cheese. The sweet potatoes were very good, with a normal brown sugar and cinnamon sauce of some kind on it. The green beans were everything we could ask for from your standard BBQ place. One of the best part's about Backyard is that the prices are so reasonable for the quality you get. The actual restaurant looks more like a dive, but this is one we certainly will be headed back to!
(4)J H.
So I'm laid up in the bed, not feeling to well, and I've sent out my partner to buy some Backyard BBQ and I figured I may as well review them while I'm at it. This place may look like a dump from the outside, but the food more than makes up for it. The chopped BBQ is very flavorful with a strong vinegar kick, which normally I don't care for, but this is just delicous. A great blend of spices compliments the vinegar nicely. Fried okra and mac & cheese are always spot on for vegetables. I'm a green bean fan, but there's tend to be a little overcooked and greasy so I pass on those, and the hush puppies aren't that good either. Potatoes are always good, so are their lima beans and black eyed peas. Portions are quite large which is always a plus as well. I don't give 5 stars because a restaurant should have no complaints at all in my book to get that rating.
(4)Raomej C.
I'm no stranger to BBQ and this place is the best I've ever had, and I'm not even the biggest fan of vinegar-based 'cue! So delicious, I'd come all the way back to Durham for it...or I'll get my friends to ship some frozen pork to NYC.
(5)Victor M.
Wow the place is not much to look at but this is real southern food. I've been to The Pit in downtown Raleigh and if you want better food for a reasonable price this is your place. Went there for lunch and had the BBQ ribs w/ Mac&Chz and corn. The ribs were falling off the bone the sauce was not too heavy and the portions were perfect. the mac and Cheese were fresh and the corn sweet. Since this is not far from work Im going to add the to my lunch spots.
(5)Kevin H.
I'm from Northern California and really enjoy some BBQ pork, this place has now ruined it for me anywhere else, and I mean that in the best possible way. Nowhere at home will I find pork that tender and sauce that delicious. The only complaint I would have is that the Mac and Cheese was quite a bit greasy, but that wouldn't stop me from having it again. I would highly suggest this place to anyone and I will have to return again before I leave.
(5)Glen W.
Don't mess around with the ribs here. Go straight for the pork BBQ. With lots of vinegar and pepper BBQ sauce.
(4)Ron L.
It would be a sin to travel to North Carolina and not have the cue. My flight arrived late, and I was pushing it to get here on time before it closed. To my disappointment, I pulled up to the door and there it was...C-L-O-S-E-D... The young guys cleaning up saw my disappointment, and gave me the type of Southern hospitality that these parts are know for...he opened the doors and proceeded to give me what was available. Man, was I in for a treat. Ribs, greens, pulled pork (know simply as barbecue in these parts), hush puppies, and mac and cheese. Next time I travel here I'll take an earlier flight. Forget the hotel restaurant - this is my go to place from now on.
(5)Rahsaan A.
Great turkey bbq
(4)Ashley A.
Hands down the best BBQ in Raleigh!!! If you like Mom & Pops Spots this is the place to go!! I had the turkey plate... Man o man talk about good eating!!! Friendly service, great food, and affordable! Wow'zzers what else can a lady ask for!
(5)Rowan L.
All I can say is WOW. That bbq is the best I've had in a long time. Not over sauced but super smoky and beautifully melt in the mouth. The chicken was incredibly tender too - and tasty as all get out. I also had the Mac cheese which was very flavoursome as were the collard greens. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
(5)David L.
This place is pretty much my first experience with Southern BBQ. I came with high expectations looking at all of the great reviews for this place. I decided to order the ribs after reminiscing on the best bbq ribs I ate back in California. Okay. The ribs were pretty good, but it definitely could not hold a candle to the ribs place back home (Phil's BBQ, if you were wondering). But taking that little tidbit aside, I did really enjoy my meal here. The ribs and two sides and a couple hush puppies for right under $10. Not bad. I would like to come here again and try their pulled pork next time. I got the cole slaw and the mac and cheese for my sides. I really enjoyed the cole slaw, though not so much the mac and cheese. Also, having tried hush puppies for the first time, I didn't really know what to make of them. They were rather bland by themselves, but with a bit of sugar, they were delicious. Definitely a good complement to the saucy ribs. Plenty of parking. Also, I think it gets very crowded here during peak hours, so plan accordingly. A great bbq spot here. David's VPP (Value per price): 7/10
(4)Angela B.
This place is the real deal, fantastic BBQ pork sandwich, a Carolina must! Would recommend for any body looking for great BBQ
(5)Stewart V.
What can I say about Backyard Bbq Pit? Everything was delicious.. Yum.. When we arrived there was a long line but it moved quick. The crew behind the serving line was like a well oiled machine. The gentleman directing traffic hollared out to the line anyone want anything fried? Fish, okra.. the customers in line yell back "flouder, whitting..two okra".. I hollar back "flounder" based on the gentleman behind me. I liked the Turkey Bbq sandwich the best which came as a surprise.. it was soft, and scrumptious.. the bbq was excellent also... The brisket was tender passed the pull test, had a smoke ring but was served in gravy. I really would have liked to taste the brisket without this gravy on it as this hides the suttle flavors from the smoke.. The Brunswick stew was sweet n delicious also. The outer crust of hush puppies were tasty but the inside was bland. Possibly needed to be fried longer or mixture a bit lighter. Flounder was very good also... If your in the area and enjoy southern cooking, give em a shot you won't be disappointed!
(4)Courtney P.
Went here for the first time yesterday after reading all the good reviews. I had the pork bbq, Mac and cheese, and collards. The collards were just ok but the rest was amazing. The bbq was juicy smokey and had a little spice that was amazing and the Mac and cheese was as described here awesome. In my opinion this guy could sell this bbq out of the back of his truck and Id still line up to pay for it
(5)VIncent B.
Went to this place after work. Read really great reviews. I arrived at 7:48pm, 12 minutes before closing. Soon as I opened the door, the guy behind the counter said "Closed!!!" I asked if they had anything at all, he again said "Closed!!" Granted I'll never go back to a place where they don't even say: "Hello, I'm so sorry we're closed and sold out of our delicious food, please come back tomorrow, etc"......you get the point. There are plenty of other places that greet you far better than that and will take your money....
(1)Sammy U.
Southern comfort food through and through. They give you plenty of bbq sauce to lather on whatever you want. It's a great meal for preparing for those "Before" photos you'll need for your next diet.
(4)Frank B.
This is our go-to choice for barbeque. You can't beat the food here. Sides are great, too.
(5)Matt G.
Not sure how this gets consistent 5 stars. I had soggy ribs, just so so pulled pork, the collard greens were good and the brunswick stew was above average, not great. I would call this all in all a very average BBQ meal. No real smokiness to the meat, although it was tender and moist. Maybe I've been spoiled with some of my other BBQ ventures, but this one didn't score high with me. BTW, on the way to the airport I had to make a BBQ-induced pitstop. Not good.
(2)Damon C.
Love this place! I usually get brisket or ribs for lunch, but tried the fried chicken today. It was excellent. Good flavor, and not over-cooked. The brisket is almost like a pot roast, and very tender.
(5)John S.
This place captures the essence of a classic Carolina barbeque joint: a hole in the wall ambience with tasty wet barbecue and all of the fixings that accompany it. I had the 2 meats with 2 sides plate. For my meats- I chose the ribs and the brisket. The ribs were very moist and flavorful- falling off the bone- flavorful. The brisket was serves with the classic Carolina vinegar brine seasoning. It too was amazing. I chose the corn and the fried okra for my sides. Both were good as well. That plus a bottle of PBR for less than $21. All in all- a highly recommended experience.
(5)Ana R.
I gave four stars because I loved all their side dishes. The best collard greens and Mac and cheese I have had in Durham. I don't like sweet barbecued meat and that is what they serve.
(4)D K.
The customer service and food quality has gone down since my first visit. They have very good BBQ but the sides are not homemade. The mac and cheese looks like noodles in oil and cheese, it literally falls apart when trying to eat it. The green beans taste like they were frozen. They used to let you get as much sauce as you needed with your to go order, now they ration out the small sauce cups. Flies are rampant and the food is not protected from them. They could use pest control.
(2)Kim A.
Backyard BBQ is a whole in the wall dive. It is exactly what everyone is describing. I sometimes dream of their brisket and mac and cheese. The hush puppy's are great too. I love this place! It's so good!
(5)Stephanie Z.
I stumbled upon this place when at the nearby autobell. I had been out of NC for many years and thought it looked like promising barbecue. The pulled pork is awesome and what keeps me coming back. The sides are hit or miss. Sometimes hush puppies and fried okra are sitting under a heat lamp rather than fresh. The mac n cheese is delicious but is quite greasy.
(3)William D.
This place is great. It feels the way a BBQ joint should. Also like that the customer base is really integrated, which doesn't happen much. Pork: outstanding. Pulled pork, eastern-style. Moist and delicious. Sides: unremarkable. Collards were soupy and slaw was just OK.
(4)Heather L.
Brisket is braised not slow smoked and sliced. Came in chunks drowning in fat. Ribs tasty none of our meats tasted grilled and yet you know at some point it was smoked by the red smoke ring. Meat was ok Fried catfish tasted fresh but coating not crispy and hush puppies are fried dough not cornmeal mix. Sides very good- wish they had the collards to try but out All in all its ok
(3)Diana X.
BBQ here is hands down the best I've ever had and such a great value for the price. And I've been to several in the Triangle. Definitely a place to take your out-of-town friends when introducing them to Southern food.
(5)Michael H.
The real deal! Backyard BBQ is a dive-y BBQ joint that serves up some of the best southern cooking I've found within 50 miles of Raleigh's city limits. Their BBQ is excellent, but for me the real treat is the ribs. Thick, well done and falling-off-the-bone, this is what Carolina style ribs are meant to be.
(5)Mark N.
This place is real. I love NC BBQ, and only a few deliver the taste and atmosphere. The servers are fantastic and the PBRs are ice cold. This is a hole-in-the wall joint, not for the trendy crowd. Perfect.
(5)Sean C.
Moved from NJ/NYC down to NC last year, and have been here at least a dozen times. This is THE BEST bbq pork/pulled pork that we have found in the Triangle, hands-down. Collards and slaw are on point. No frills, delicious food, and awesome staff. Pineapple-lemonade to wash everything down.
(5)Farnaz S.
I visted this place only because of Yelp reviews. I just got out.of plane and had to eat some hot and homemade food. The only reason they won't get 5 stars is the food was too greasy to my pallet. The species were right on point and the service was nice and welcoming.
(4)Mitch C.
Wow. This is authentic, home style Carolina BBQ. Visited this restaurant with 4 friends who are from different parts of the country. Everyone loved the food and thought it was outstanding - including the native Texan in our party! Pulled pork and chicken were awesome. Every side dish was excellent - from okra, mac&cheese, to collard greens, green beans, etc. Food is straightforward, without fancy presentation or decor. Prices are reasonable. Not greasy or over salted. The natural flavors of every item comes through. I can only imagine if this place was outside Ft Bragg or Camp Lejeune, there'd be a 4 hour wait to get food! Folks in Raleigh are spoiled! Get anything on the menu - if you enjoy traditional Southern food or BBQ, you will not be disappointed. Great place to go if visiting from out of town. You will have the real NC BBQ experience!
(5)K F.
Food was ok....no air conditioning....lots of flies. Service was friendly.
(3)Angela M.
This is authentic barbecue. The kind that is made on the premises with lots of slow cooked love. Since it doesn't open until 1 on Saturdays, it was the perfect fit for our lazy Saturday. I sat at the booth while Jimmy got my pork sandwich with collards and mac 'n' cheese. Everything was yummy - the pork was tender and moist, the mac 'n' cheese was VERY cheesy, and the collards were cooked to the perfect texture. I opted for the sweet and spicy dark sauce, which seemed to be molasses/ketchup based. They also had a red pepper oil sauce, which I probably should have added to the collards, since they weren't the most flavorful I've had. There were lots of desserts to choose from, and Jimmy and Slipp seemed to thoroughly enjoy the moist chocolate cake with chocolate glaze and the lemon cake. The atmosphere is so friendly and homey - adding to the authentic vibe. The employees are constantly walking around to ask how everything is and keep the place neat and clean. Everyone gets to sign the walls, adding to the charm. I can easily see us coming back here next time we're in the area.
(4)Marilyn R.
No frills, casual great, authentic food. Don't look for fancy seating, white cloth tables or even air conditioning....just straight to food...and it is fantastic at a great price.
(5)Michael K.
Okay get over the dirty floors and the pot holes in the parking lot. Who cares that the place could use a make over! I am not eating in the parking lot or off the floor! I got the Ribs with Mac and Cheese! Holly mother of god this was good!!!! Bottom line the staff and food are prefect! The place could use some work. I think up north they would have been shut down....
(4)William K.
Review from an out-of-state visitor (from Maryland) - the ribs are the best ribs I've ever had. Fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. The hush puppies were awesome as well, and the sides of mac-and-cheese and corn were perfect compliments to the ribs. I wish I could visit again soon!
(5)Wesley K.
This place is incredible. Food is delectable, staff is friendly and funny, and their vinegar sauce is lip-smacking.
(5)Aidan D.
Get there early. Long line. Worth the wait. A North Carolina gem.
(5)David M.
This place is great! Some say the place is a dive .. I say it has character. No matter though ... the food is wonderful .. really great NC style BBQ and Texas BBQ as well. The hushpuppies are by far the best I have ever had .. just incredible! I really need to go with an emptier stomach next time! The services is quick and the servers have a smile for you and a quick wit. All for a very low price.
(4)Danielle W.
Stopped at Backyard BBQ over the weekend and was surprised just by how fantastic the food is. A no frills place that does BBQ right. Not much of a selection but when you do something well you don't need fifty items on the menu. Ordered the rib plate with sweet potatoes and mac n cheese, the meat just fell off the bone and the mac n cheese hands down were my favorite. If I'm ever in Durham again I will be stopping by.
(5)Jacob C.
Backyard BBQ Pit is easily a heavyweight in the contest of who has the best Triangle BBQ. Even writing this review right now is making my stomach call for some good quality pulled pork. I've been a couple of times and have loved every visit. It's like a BBQ place should be, small, unassuming, somewhat dingy but not to a point that it's gross. Basically the focus is on the food. Great BBQ sandwich for lunch (at an excellent price) and they have a ton of sides to pick from. So far I've had the hush puppies, mac and cheese, collard greens and sweet potatoes. All have been above average. They also have ribs, chicken and fried fish, but each time I've found it hard to stray from the delicious tried-and-true tastes of a pulled pork sandwich with slaw. Maybe one day I'll branch out. But either way, it's a great option for lunch, or any other meal for that matter, in RTP.
(4)Mark S.
The best BBQ I've ever had, and I've had lots. Perfect flavor, always fresh and great prices. No matter which "style" BBQ sauce you like, they have them all. Highly recommended.
(5)Alan S.
Holy crap. There are some good BBQ places around here, but this one is amazing. Can't really call it a hole in the wall, because it's a free standing restaurant. It has just the atmosphere I would want for some down to earth ridiculously good tasting bbq. The staff looks like a big family. The walls have what looks like decades of fun written on them. Can't really go on more without repeating too much of what everyone else says. Go here. At least once, if not a million more times like I have.
(5)Steve L.
Very good BBQ, great service. Like the other reviewers, recommend the mac and cheese. The pulled pork was good, but not quite five stars good. After three trips here over the years, you can't go too wrong here.
(4)Danni D.
My first NC BBQ outing. Delicious! I think that maybe the vinegar/meat thing just isn't my thing, but I'm certainly glad i tried it. The pulled pork was melty tender, and they had some great sauces to add to the meat. The sides...woah! Fantastic! Delicious hush puppies - light and sweet, just the way I like them. Fried okra was really good. Yams were fresh and sweet and saucy. Collard greens were salty, fresh and delicious. I could get stuffed on sides alone here. Sweet tea was the best I've had. Perfect sweetness level while still tasting like tea.
(4)Ryan D.
I think I get why some locals like the place, but it's OK at best. Pulled pork is good, but nothing extraordinary compared to other NC joints. Sides are OK. The inside is either charming or weird, depending on how you see it: drawing on the walls and cartoons on the TV. The reason for 2 stars is that the place served me the worst brisket I've ever had. I know that NC doesn't do brisket, but it was truly bad. If a friend of mine who had never cooked served me this cut of tough, flavorless meat, I would have struggled to finish it. In this case I didn't finish it. And it wasn't that cheap either - to get brisket I paid an extra $6 on top of my pork plate. I cannot emphasize how bad it was. There are better places for BBQ.
(2)Jerry B.
The packed full plate of they serve you is almost over the top. The service is GREAT and the food is good. The decor is, well...let's say, the hand writing is on the wall, literally...it appears everyone writes on the wall. Today the Mac&Cheese was Extra cheesy, the cabbage was tasty and the chopped Barbecue was okay. Here's a good Greasy Spoon. Service 5/5 Decor 2/5 and Food 3/5 are the rating for todays meal.
(3)Adri T.
Friendly, fast, flavorful! What more can you say that has not already been said? Ordered brisket with okra and macaroni. The food was ready quickly and the okra was fried to order. We loved that the okra was brought out to the table when it was ready, and loved even more that it was given to us in a Chinese take out bag! The macaroni is like I always wished my grandma made - you know the kind - the kind with that layer of orangish flavorful cheese grease on top? Yes, that's it. And - Aw - My - Gawd - was it amazing! The brisket was served with a gravy type sauce that (admittedly) scared me a little when I opened my styrofoam box. However, one whiff and a good hearty bite and I was convinced that this stuff was divine! Cannot believe we have not been here before now, and cannot wait to go back. Next time I'll bring my Sharpie to autograph the walls.
(5)Osamede O.
Writing this review at 12am, as I wake up from such a wonderful itis induced by my meal from Backyard BBQ Pit. This small spot is a tough find with a narrow drive-way, but once you pull up its gametime and you'll know it deep in your soul. When I walked in, I was disappointed by the look of the place. Although reviews had warned me, I still was not ready. There are signatures on the wall by everyone whose came. The food looked like it was sitting there for a while. Thankfully, two customers were in front of me and I could see how happy they were, so I decided to proceed. The people working the front were southern to the core, which gives you a very authentic feel. I ordered the rib plate with macaroni and cheese as well as fried okra. The food was great. The ribs were literally fall off the bone. I slid out each bone before I "went in". The ribs were interesting because although there was sauce on them, the dry rub still stands out. Most of the time, sauce plays too much of a role, and this wasn't the case. The macaroni and cheese was great. It was the type that had the layer of cheese on the top. The fried okra was great. I couldn't explain how good it was great. It tasted like everyone's grandmother was huddled in the back deciding on the best way to prepare them. The hush puppies were great, and basically were sweet cornbread fried aka delicious. To drink, Pineapple Lemonade. The concoction was great. One of those ideas where you think "why haven't I tried this". Coming from Boston this was a wonderful treat. The people were great and there were plenty of places to sit. Hopefully I can be back.
(4)chris s.
Had the working man's lunch for 4.99 BBQ sandwich and two sides! A real bargain. Great food And nice people.
(5)Natalie F.
Great barbeque for a great price. I generally like red barbeque better than NC style but this is pretty tasty. The sides are awesome. I like the relaxed atmosphere.
(5)David C.
Backyard BBQ Pit is the best BBQ I've encountered in the Triangle since moving here a few years ago. After a few disappointing trips to other, maybe more "well known" BBQ joints, Backyard BBQ restored my faith in the area's BBQ potential. When you first walk in the door, you'll be greeted by an incredibly friendly and helpful staff. OH, and the smells! The place looks, feels, and smells authentic. It's a down home place with great food. My personal favorite is the pork sandwich with mac n cheese and fried okra on the side. The slaw is awesome, too, and I always have them put some on my sandwich. The prices are very reasonable, service is fast, and the Q is great. What more could you want? Highly recommend.
(5)Kyle B.
Place to go if you want Carolina BBQ. Also good southern home cooking. Pulled pork is light on sauce but they give you plenty to dress it how you like it. Also beef brisket and fish (I love the flounder here). Greens and Mac&Cheese is excellent. Lemonade everyone raves on as well they make from scratch. Only downside is their place is always full, and parking lot is limited. Feel free to use the ABC store next door to park in.
(5)Elizabeth F.
Yum! I had the barbeque sandwich platter (comes with two sides) for an unbelievable price of $4.95. The sandwich was delicious and moist, just like it should be. For my sides, I chose mac-and-cheese and Brunswick Stew (just about the best I have ever had). Plus, the nice lady behind the counter called me "doll baby". So what is not to love! I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Matthew T.
No frills. But the food was good
(4)logan j.
This place is no frills deliciousness! The staff are all very nice and hospitable. We had the ribs, brisket, collard greens, green beans, mac and cheese, and baked beans. Everything was extremley tastey and cooked perfectly. This is one of those neighborhood gems that you would drive right by if you didnt know any better. I'm glad we were with a local that exposes us it was soooooo worth it.
(5)Jay K.
Great pulled pork sandwich, homestyle mac & cheese. Family banter between staff made for an inexpensive dinner. Order and pick up at counter. They do have beer including Stella Artois (which seemed a bit out of place). For the money, a severely unpretentious barbecue of the Carolina style - then you could do a lot worse and spend a lot more money.
(4)Bobby T.
Backyard BBQ pit is a true eastern NC style dive. I've called cooper's the best BBQ in the triangle for the last decade, and I'll say Backyard BBQ Pit's BBQ is just as good. Overall they get a slight edge over cooper's because the sides are better. The mac and cheese might give you a heart attack, but it'll be the happiest heart attack you could have. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing that I live a mile and a half away.
(5)Grace B.
I love this place! The service is always friendly and warm, which goes along perfectly with the BBQ and sides they're dishing up. The BBQ sauces are delicious and pair perfectly with the BBQ, I've never had a side I didn't like. The food here reminds me of something you'd have at a backyard BBQ, much like it's name!
(5)Kim H.
I was out here for work. I tried all sorts of fancy places and was not impressed until someone told me to stop by this little hole in the wall. I mean hole in the wall. Not clean....no a/c and NC you need a/c. This place rocks. Best dang bbq I have tasted. The ribs, the sides, the banana crumb pie.....unbelievable. Just make sure you realize you are coming here for food experience not ambiance (well ambiance in a diifferent way). If you want a nice a/c place with waitress service go somewhere else pay three times as much for inferior food. Next time I am back for work....this is my place to stop by and grab some good old grub.
(5)Matt F.
Never really liked BBQ before coming here. Tried it out because of Yelp and was not disappointed. The sides are mediocre (outside of the mac and cheese and the hush puppies) but this place easily gets 5 stars based on the ridiculously amazing pulled pork. I usually get some sauce with it, but the meat is so perfectly seasoned it doesn't need any. Not sure how anything other than the pulled pork is because I haven't been able to force myself to order anything but. Cheap as well with quick carry out.
(5)Andre P.
went today, as I read the reviews, the staff is upbeat and pleasant, however was there for the food. It was good, don't take me wrong, it was but the ribs were undercooked, not fall off the bone and the potatoes tasted like they came out of a can
(2)Sandra H.
If you like barbecue, Brunswick stew, collards, Mac& cheese, slaw or hush puppies - you will like this place. If you love all of those then you can't miss this place! But don't wait until closing time. If they run out of something - it's gone! The bbq is smoked and very tasty! The hush puppies are with the trip in their own! I'll be back to try the ribs and the flounder - both looked so good! Other reviewers mention the outside looks of the restaurant - don't shy away. The food cannot be beat!
(5)Tim B.
Hot dang that's some good cue. Highly recommend it if you like the real deal with some down home friendly folks and a good hearty meal. Did I mention that it's very reasonably priced as well?
(5)Chantal G.
This is the best BBQ I have ever had! The ribs melt off the bone and the mac n cheese is delicious! I highly recommend this place-- especially if you are visiting and want cheap beer and bbq!
(5)Katherine K.
Having moved back to Durham since the previous review, I felt I needed to provide an update. This is my family's go-to BBQ spot, without a doubt some of the best around. Pulled pork is my typical protein choice here. But the ribs are delicious, and 100% worth the wait if you hit them up when they're busy. BBQ chicken is flavorful and tender, so well cooked that it falls off the bone. Macaroni and cheese!!!!! If you love it, you have to give theirs a try. So much cheese, it often stretches from tray to mouth. All the sides I've had are phenomenal. My personal favorites are their cabbage, greens, and green beans. And the hush puppies.... Don't sleep on the hush puppies! They are the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Get a side if they're one of your favorites, though. I usually only come away with three to my meal.
(5)Chris S.
I was looking for a BBQ Pit near Triangle area and ran across Backyard BBQ Pit with a great review. When I got to the place I was very disappointed with the food and how dirty the place is. I was expecting a BBQ grill with staffs cooking fresh food, but what I got was a premade cafeteria food that was salty and bland. I don't recommend the brisket or the bbq rib. I might go back and try the BBQ plate, but they should really clean up this place as the seats and the table were really sticky and filthy.
(2)Tonnika H.
If you're looking for a healthy food do not come here. This place has the best BBQ the best ribs the best sides here in Durham North Carolina this staff is always real the place does not look like a five star restaurant but the service,....just perfect
(4)Rosalyn S.
All of the best soul food restaurants I've been to spend no effort on decor and Backyard BBQ was no exception. This is a no frills place....very plain, nothing fancy. I ordered the pulled pork, cole slaw, and mac and cheese to go. It wasn't busy so I was out of there in less than 10 minutes. The service was prompt and the employees were professional. The pulled pork may be the best I've ever had. It was tender and had a nice smoky flavor with just a touch of heat. The cole slaw was just the the way I like it with a little sweetness. The mac and cheese was ah-ma-zing. Full of cheesy goodness! The hushpuppies were not the best I've ever had but I didn't leave any of them on the plate. I felt like I got a good value for what I paid. I will definitely go back as I want to try the ribs, cabbage, and yams.
(5)Emaan M.
Oh Backyard BBQ how I will miss you so! Every work trip to Raleigh involves a pit stop at this place. It's a no nonsense, we make good food and that's that kinda place. Stand on the line, pick what you want. They always want you to get the pork for some reason, and even though they list shrimp on the menu, I have never seen it offered. I go with the BBQ chicken and its on point every time! Mac and Cheese and Cabbage are my fave sides, everything else seems to be laced in pork fat/rinds/bits (which I don't eat). The BBQ sauce there makes everything tastes even better, I'd slather it on everything if I had daily access to it. Every order comes with hush puppies. And they don't take AMEX. If you're new to the area, might want to try a Cheerwine (cherry flavored soda).
(4)Gene B.
This is the real deal, for so many reasons. It's all about the sides, and we went back for seconds of them: mac n cheese, sweet potatoes, etc. The ribs were great. My wife is particular about her brisket, and their style (albeit delicious and well prepared) wasn't to her taste...but there's no question this place is worth the trip, right down to being served on styrofoam - this place is all about the food, forget the pretense.
(4)Will S.
Had the fried chicken, green beans and mac and cheese. All were delicious with just the right amount of cooking and seasoning. Food is priced very reasonably. Staff is very friendly. Only issue is they always run out of stuff we want to try but that happens with good restaurants.
(4)Irwin F.
Warning: this is NOT BBQ. It is soul food. This is the second place in NC that I have been to that advertises itself as "BBQ," but in reality, it's soul food. Warning bells were going off when I walked in and didn't smell smoke, which is the key component of BBQ! For a soul food place, I would give it 3.5 stars. Service is very friendly. Prices are dirt cheap. Portions are large. Sides are tasty. But Carolina smoked whole hog BBQ this place is not. The pork was mushy and had absolutely no bark, no smoke ring, and no smoke flavor. Ribs were mushy and drowned in BBQ sauce. Flies were everywhere.
(2)J F.
Very average bbq. Dry pork, very little and bland slaw, greasy mac n cheese and awesome greens. Warm diet coke. Food was very uninspiring. Server and cashier were awesome. Super friendly. Gals in front of us in line were rude and made fun of greens. Said it needed vinegar... I beg to differ. Best greens I have had in a while. This place needs a scrub down fire cook but keep the great gals behind the counter. My friend had ribs and said they were size of dinosaur bones but tough and too much sauce and no taste. Sorry but there is a LOT better Q than this tired old place.
(1)James A.
Fantastic NC BBQ! Delicious pulled pork sandwich. Excellent sides; though the collared greens were sold out :( Good beer selection for a shack as well.
(5)Jessica P.
This is the best BBQ in the Triangle. Period. First, there are amazing smells from when you pull into the parking lot. The BBQ is perfectly melt-in-your-mouth tender with smoke flavor. Go for the more-vinegary sauce. No need to get any meat besides BBQ! But they do have ribs, fish, brisket, and more. These are the best sides, in order: Collard Greens Macaroni and Cheese Brunswick Stew Green Beans And of course the hush puppies are banging. Possibly also the best hush puppies in the Triangle! If you want to impress someone with good, authentic BBQ - this is the place.
(5)George F.
We stopped in toward the end of their hours on a Friday night. They were out of most meats but they did a decent job of announcing what was left. We managed to get plates of ribs, fried pork chop and roasted chicken (dark meat). The chicken and pork chop were very good. The ribs were a little tough. We got potatoes, sweet potatoes and mac & cheese for sides. They were all pretty good but not spectacular. The staff was friendly and helpful though a bit overwhelmed with a line of people and the night winding down. All in all, it was a good meal but not something I'd have to go back for.
(3)Max B.
This changes everything! I have lived in North Carolina for two years now and have really struggled to find THE North Carolina BBQ experience. This here is the real deal, I finally understand what all those other places were trying to do and in understand I know they will always be inferior. I should start out by saying I went there at 4pm on a Saturday, a time by which their famed pulled pork had been exhausted. I was on the verge of tears/going home when.... BOOM! PULLED TURKEY! At first they gave me a taste sensing my disappointment, but once I had it I knew I needed more. It was like that dream sequence in the big Lebowski happening in my mouth. Thanksgiving will no longer be a time of happiness for me as I will always be thinking about this turkey. I watched as round after round of people came in, on the verge of leaving, but would then try the turkey and realize like imperial storm troopers at the hands of Obi-wan that this was indeed the bbq they were looking for. Everything after that first bite is a blur of BBQ and happiness. I also got the BBQ chicken and it was melt-from-the-bones delicious, but dat turkey will live on in my mind forever. The sides were scrumptious, the hushpuppies crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and I left with a feeling of satisfaction I haven't had in years. I have no idea if the pulled pork is as good, but I look forward to going back and finding out.
(5)S S.
Close to my home so figured I would give it a try. I timed it when the line was wrapping around inside the place but moves relatively quick. I did take out so I could enjoy my food later. If your going to dine in don't expect a 5 star dining place. The wall is covered in writing but didn't take the time to read what it said. Now on to the most important part, the food. The food was true eastern NC BBQ. I ordered fried chicken with hush puppies, Mac & cheese, sweet potato and a side of chopped BBQ. The chicken takes a few minutes to cook so be prepared to wait but had a nice crisp to it and the chicken was very moist. The Mac and cheese was a little greasy but that's from the oils in the cheese but was real good. The mashed sweet potato was sweet and I found very good. The chopped BBQ had some Smoke flavor to it and I personally enjoy the tang of eastern BBQ. I will definitely be back and enjoy some other offerings they have.
(4)Trent M.
I had heard a lot about this BBQ place from co-workers and friends. I usually would grab take out from another local place but was encouraged to try Backyard. It wasn't bad. As soon as I parked and got out of the car I smelled the smoke from the smoker. I walked in the place and there was a long line that did move quickly. The line never seemed to go down so it tells me that they have a lot of regular customers who are dedicated to their BBQ. The food? It was okay, the ribs were meaty and slathered in BBQ sauce; the sweet potatoes were good but the mac and cheese was oily. There were other things on the food line that I wanted to try: baked beans, stewed tomatoes, but didn't have time. Will I return? Yes. I want to try the chicken and the other things I mentioned. Will I recommend it as the "best BBQ in Durham?" No. Because it isn't. It's okay, and I will return, but I won't bring friends and family and brag on it. Another Yelp member commented on the decor. I have to say it was quite messy. The writing on the walls and all of the flies really was a bit much. If I return I'll take my meal to go and call it a day.
(2)Bernadette J.
I'll be back... First of all don't blink hard or you'll miss this place at night. I know I did. My husband kept saying "they better have some Really good BBQ after all this" He walked out a happy camper and why wouldn't he with such "slap your mama" good food! OMG! The Mac and cheese was off the hook! So were the candied yams. The stars were the ribs and the pulled turkey, though just a tad too salty in my book. To top it off, the lady at the register was just as sweet as their tea. The place looks like a dive but it's clean and there are tables to sit and eat if you so choose. If we end up imoving to the area, this place will be in our rotation, just not too often... I like having a clean bill of health!
(4)Christina M.
The best BBQ I've had in Raleigh! It's a little hole in the wall place but the food is great! Took my little brother, who was visiting from New York here. He loved it and thought it was better than the pit. We got take out and brought it back to my office to eat. It does not have the best atmosphere, but that not what you come for. I will be taking everyone who visits raleigh here for the best BBQ.
(5)Yimei W.
Dirty is right, but the food is tight. A solid eat that will fill you up. When we pulled up around 2pmish, the parking lot was empty. I was SO certain we drove all this way to the wrong "Backyard BBQ Pit," felt totally embarrassed, and was about to text the other car to tell them to turn around and figure out how to get to the "real" Backyard BBQ Pitt! Walking into the joint didn't do more to convince me, I surveyed the mess on the walls, the mess where the condiments were congregated, and didn't even want to imagine the mess we were about to eat. At this point I had my phone out and was ready to dial and apologize profusely for fumbling this one. But the cooks behind the counter immediately offered us a TRAY of samples of the food. Impressed by their hospitality-we stayed. Was it worth it? Like I said, it's a solid meal: you'll have some good, big pieces of meat and some good sides. It wasn't anything special or particularly amazing though-but that's coming from someone with a bias towards fairy food. I like my ribs a bit on the dry side like jerky, so if you're like me, you might find their ribs too goopy. Seemed like the guys in our group enjoyed themselves and were satisfied. And I have to say, the biggest mess was in the bathroom. So anyone who is a bit OCD: be forewarned. I probably wouldn't come back personally, but if everyone is saying this is the real Carolina BBQ, it might be worth a trip to experience it.
(3)Shannon M.
I'll start with my favorite- the Catfish Plate! All the sides are tasty - collard greens were some of the best I've had. Mac & cheese is worth it. Ribs had great flavor! I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you choose to eat here- it was all so good! Loved the experience, the guys on the serving line were joking around with us and very friendly. Is now our favorite go to BBQ.
(5)Cary M.
No, the atmosphere isn't amazing, but the food more than makes up for that. EVERYTHING is delicious. My biggest complaint is driving over there and they're closed because they're out of food, or it's a minor holiday. Guess I should call before I crave.
(4)Jessica M.
We stopped in here on our visit in NC, and we were very impressed. It is just a simple southern BBQ place, but the food is amazing!
(5)Katrina W.
This place is great. I travel to the area regularly and am always in search of good food near the park. The barbecue and sides are authentic southern seventh heaven. The staff are friendly and welcoming, more than making up for the dive-like location. The food is quick and inexpensive but better than I usually get from more expensive chain restaurants. I will definitely be back next time.
(4)Michael S.
Everything here was good, but OMG... Loved the beef brisket here! Not being from NC, I don't know if I would call this your typical bbq joint (the ribs and mac n' cheese and pulled pork seemed to be similar to other places we tried), but I would say this was the best beef brisket as it was very juicy and moist. Seriously good stuff here.
(5)Ingrid C.
I had prepared myself for walking into a slum - I had assumed, like good fried chicken, it was necessary for good bbq. When I drove up (in my rented PT Cruiser, no less), it was an unassuming brick building in a perfectly tolerable neighborhood. Then I got out of the car. What a heavenly smoky smell. Fast forward, back to reality. I opened the door and walked in. I'm sure the fixtures haven't been updated since the late 70s, but everything was clean. However, I'm sure some people find it oddly charming, but there was scrawl all over the walls. People are apparently encouraged to sign their names all over and instead of being cute, it was overly reminiscent of a giant bathroom stall. Please note that in lieu of napkins and dispensers, there were just a few rolls of paper towels lying about. Why 5 stars? AMAZING FOOD. I came wanting delicious dirty barbeque and greasy sides and that's EXACTLY what I got. Perfection. My ribs were delicious. Fried okra to order - not overly greasy, either. Collard greens with just the right amount of astringency. Golden, round, crispy-outside-soft-inside hush puppies. (LOVE the hush puppies.) All washed down with sugary delicious pineapple lemonade (with canned pineapples of course). I didn't find the bbq overly sweet, but it is on the sweeter side. The people were SO NICE, too. SO nice. Pescatarians can find some solace here with their meat-eating counterparts. I chose this place specifically so my fish-eating boy could have something to eat. I doubt the sides were all meat-free, but I didn't feel inclined (or find it necessary) to inform him. GO EAT MEAT NOW.
(5)Michelle K.
some of the most disappointing moments in my life include being turned away from backyard bbq because they've run out of food. staff is great -- they recognized it was my first time and happily gave me a bunch of samples of the different meats. ribs over chopped pork. hush puppies are some of the best i've tried. mac and cheese, yes please.
(5)Bob M.
Any time any of my team is anywhere near Backyard BBQ, I have them bring me barbecue, cabbage and collard greens. It just doesn't get any better than this!! Also, their brisket is awesome, as well. First class and the Real thing - it's all that!
(5)Michael M.
The BBQ was different from I'm used to, but man was it good. The Mac-n-Cheese needs to be called Cheese-n-Mac...it was great.....I wasn't crazy about the green beans but everything else made up for it......and the Hushpuppies....they were so good people waited after they already had their food just to get the 2 hushpuppies that come with every plate.....We are talking 6 different orders waiting for the hushpuppies to come out.....It was everything that some previous comments had said about it being a dive and all, but I was already expecting that so seeing it didn't phase me.....I'll will be going back to get the combination plate......and the okra...they were out by the time I got there which was 8 pm
(5)Jaime F.
Amazing food! Catering event was superb!! My favorite was the brunswick stew. Definitely great for a party or even to pop in the restaurant for lunch/dinner.
(4)Lisa W.
I am a huge huge HUGE fan of Eastern Carolina BBQ (vinegar based) but living up in the DC metro area it's not something I can enjoy too often ... and much less so since the passing of a close relative who lived down there (every visit featured a trip or two to some of the down-home joints). A two-day (and two-night) work trip to the Raleigh-Durham area immediately sent up visions of "YES! BBQ!" dancing like sugarplums. But I didn't really have a place in mind, since most of the places I went were in the Greenville/ECU area. Despite the fact that I have been on a strict diet (and have NOT cheated even once) for a month now, I felt this was a worthy detour. Several people had suggested "The Pit" in Raleigh, which is apparently "the hot spot" but frankly, I was hoping for something a) closer to where I was staying so I could bring it home and be a pig (no pun intended) in the privacy of my hotel room and b) a little more "dive joint" than restaurant. A local I chatted with in passing (and yes, that means I probably mentioned my burning desire for BBQ with everyone I came within 10 feet of) suggested the Backyard as his own favorite place, and it was right on the way from my work to my hotel ... So after spending 10 hours (no exaggeration) in the sun, 100-degree heat and humidity, with my head splitting open, all that kept me going was "pulled pork pulled pork pulled pork." Found Backyard right where he'd described, pulled into the lot and got on a line that went out the door the minute the next person came in behind me. No matter, the scent had me transported and the wait gave me time to figure out what to order (um, everything on the meat menu? I have a cooler so I can bring home whatever I didn't eat) Three gentlemen working quickly to take and serve orders kept things moving and when it was my turn and I ordered pulled pork, my adorable server broke it to me gently that they had JUST run out of pork. They did, however, have pulled turkey. I went with it (as well as a half-rack of amazing ribs and stopped myself from ordering the equally-delicious-looking BBQ chicken). Got back to my room. Got comfy (read: changed out of sweat-drenched crunchy clothes). Decanted the turkey into a bowl (thank you, Towne Place Suites). Sat down with bowl and good book ... ... and was absolutely positively transported to cuisinary nirvana. I swear to God, this is one of the single most exquisite things I have ever tasted. I've had chicken BBQ and pork BBQ but never had turkey BBQ before. And maybe other places don't make it as well as Backyard, I have no idea ... Shredded and tender, every single mouthful juicy and succulent without seeming to be dripping with any visible sauce ... the sauce is cooked so seamlessly into the meat that it's neat, perfect and ... well, damn, I want this recipe!!!!!! I haven't had the ribs yet (they're coming home with me, along with about a quarter of the pint of BBQ) so I can enjoy bit by bit all weekend (and perhaps share with fellow dieter, hubby, if he asks nicely). I didn't have any of my usual favorite sides (mac cheese, sweet potatoes, etc.) because, hey, I AM on a diet, you know? But they looked/smelled wonderful as well. And honestly, if I'm gonna go for the calories, I just want more of that turkey! The folks working there were really nice and friendly, the service was amazingly quick given how long the line was, and there is a cool wipe-off board where people who come in sign in ... it appears there may be live music there sometimes (saw a small stage with a guitar and amp and posters of two cute girls). All I know is, their website says they're now bulk shipping. Save me and my diet. I'm in big trouble.
(5)Bernard J.
Once again, I was on campus, depressed and moping over the lack of viable dinner options when my friend asked me if I wanted to try this BBQ place. To preface, i've lived in NC for most of my life and thus have been to many BBQ joints around the area, including Bullock's, Allen and Sons, Q shack etc, but not to this one. Always up for something new, I jumped on the opportunity. And it was good. The food: So my friend and I arrived rather late (around 7:50pm, and they close at 8:00pm.) and the choices were limited. Still, we managed to snag some pulled pork and ribs. We also had candied yams and Brunswick stew for our sides, as well as some hushpuppies. The total came to around $7 for the pulled pork plate, a few bucks more for the ribs. The pulled pork was good, as i've come to expect from authentic NC places. The spice-vinegar balance was just right. There wasn't anything that stood out about it, but i've become so accustomed to legitimate NC pulled pork that that statement is a good thing. The (wet) ribs were exceptionally tender and had a rich, slightly sweet, smoky flavor. The Brunswick stew was a little sweet for my tastes, but with good texture and the candied yams were entirely adequate. The hushpuppies, however, were fantastic little balls of fried goodness with the perfect amount of sweetness. The meat dishes were definitely the draws of the restaurant though. The place: Given how close we came to closing time, the cashiers and servers were very friendly, never rushing our orders but still expediently getting us our food. We also got a few free cups of lemonade, which was a unexpected gesture of kindness and well-paired with our food. The place itself is kind of a dive, but in more of a charming manner. Other coolness: They have a "sauce bar" where you can pour yourself hot sauce, sweet BBQ sauce and vinegar sauce to taste. I wouldn't recommend too much of the vinegar, as the pulled pork is already seasoned very well. What I missed: Sadly, because we came so late, we didn't get any of the mac and cheese or any of the fish (which are the usual southern fried species.) I guess that just means we'll have to come back, again and again, until we do. I'm looking forward to it.
(4)Adam S.
A solid (but not spectacular) soul food spot. I got the brisket with collards and potato salad. I also tried the fried chicken, the okra, and the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was the best thing I tried. Some of my favorite that I have tried. The okra and collards were good as well. The collards had a nice vinegary tang. To me, the potato salad, fried chicken, and brisket were just ok. This place is a decent soul food place, but nothing life changing.
(3)Larry M.
Even though I'm from the north I know a little about BBQ or Barbecue or Barbeque however you spell it. This place is pretty good, have only been there once but I tried a bit of everything and the only thing I didn't like as much as the other stuff were the ribs but they were still pretty good. The pulled or chopped pork that they just call BBQ was excellent the best I have ever had. If you are in the area or are visiting from out of town and want good BBQ this is your place.
(4)Ben M.
If the feeling that you're in your elementary school cafeteria (complete with writing on the wall to identify who had been there) doesn't creep you out, it's worth your time to come this way and grab a reasonably-priced lunch or dinner. Although, at lunch you may end up using more time that initially bargained for, since everyone in RTP is hip to this spot. The BBQ itself is good, vinegar-based saucy BBQ. It's a little sweeter and less vinegary than I generally enjoy, but some people dig that sort of thing, I guess. When not in the mood for BBQ, they fry a mean chicken the likes of which you'd otherwise have to go to the Sandwich Shop in Benson to enjoy. I recommend going around dinner time, though, because the staff there are truly fun folks to be around and you just don't get the time to spend with them when they're busy serving up deliciousness to the weary RTP crowd.
(3)Ricky W.
My wife, friend and I ate here today, and we thought the meal was very good. We ordered the $6.99 bbq plate and tea. My only quibble was with the service. The cashier wouldn't refill my tea immediately, saying " I'm waiting on a customer." I went back two more times, but he didn't acknowledge my presence. It looked like he was making tea, but he didn't tell me that he was sorry, and that it would be a few minutes. We all agreed that they need a tea station near the utensil station, so that customers won't have to beg for refills.
(4)L M.
Good place to go to. Their fried chicken is very good even though you have to wait for them. Not a big fan of the mac and cheese (I think its greesy and mine is much better) but I like their baked beans. I usually get the bbq sandwich plate because its cheap and easy.
(4)Christopher R.
First trip to Backyard BBQ Pit, and it won't be my last! What the place lacks in ambience, it makes up for with taste. I had a chopped BBQ plate with fried cabbage and fried Okra, and my friend had some Brisket and ribs. The counter guys let us sample anything we wanted and were really friendly. Personally, I LOVED the fried cabbage, and I single it out because it was hands down one of the best ways I ever ate the stuff, and I DO love cabbage. The chopped pork BBQ was as good as I have had in the South and I really enjoyed it. The Brisket was outstanding, but I can't tell you about the ribs because my friend inhaled them in minutes and I didn't get a chance to try them. I reserve my 5th star rating because the ambience of the place was nothing special. Gaze deep into your plate of Q and forget the surroundings.
(4)Big S.
The food is good but overrated. There are a bunch of places in the triangle that are just as good. This place is always packed for lunch and it costs about $8 with a tea. They have some of the cheesiest mac and cheese of anywhere as well as some other good sides, but the meats are pretty average as is their tea. I recommend it for a good lunch.
(4)James F.
All I can say is "WOW!" This place is the "real" NC BBQ that everyone in this area seeks. There are some other places around that serve a pretty good BBQ, but this is on the top of our list whenever we are around that area. I have dropped by an grabbed a sandwich and I have called in orders for over 50 people and they area always happy to serve it up fast! I can never seem to order enough Mac-n-Cheese though!
(5)Megan K.
Best BBQ I have ever had. Came all the way from Colorado to stop by this gem for the second time! Still just as good as the first time my family ate there :)
(5)Oak R.
Arguably the best BBQ I've ever had! EASILY the best Mac-n-cheese and hush-puppies I've had. Friendly folks and relaxed atmosphere. Great place to go when you're in the Triangle!
(5)Loggins N. M.
Loved every bite. Too bad they were out of Brisket on my visit. Brought a group of 9, everyone walked away full and happy.
(5)Dave T.
I love the food here all around. There parking is horrible during rush hours. The staff is very friendly and quick to push you through the line. I like all the signatures on the walls, gives the place an unique style. This place is priced a little high for me, however I will still give it 5 stars.
(5)Chris H.
O.M.G. I discovered this place today and I'm SO happy I did...I love hole in the wall places and the food is simply amazing! the people are wonderful! They let me try the pork and the ribs when I walked in...and I ended up getting both! ribs that fall off the bone!! amazing!!! the mac & cheese is to die for...I will most definitely be back! Love it! If you're in the Triangle, you should definitely give this place a try! You won't be disappointed! You may spend over $10 a person, but they give you a lot of food so you won't feel cheated. simply wonderful! They also have some options that are under $10 for the budget conscious...seriously, check it out!
(5)Brad T.
Out of town on a work trip can be tough when it comes to finding good restaurants, so we stopped in based on a quick recommendation from someone in town plus the positive words on Yelp, and it was very well worth it. First of all, the staff was extremely friendly and immediately joked with us and made us feel welcome. The atmosphere, although not exactly homey (it's essentially a cafeteria-style seating area), was cool because they let people write on the walls and it was obvious that people came from all over America to eat here. The guy at the counter was very helpful and got us a full rack of pork ribs plus sides of hush puppies, fried okra, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, and baked beans for an amazing price. The ribs practically melted off the bone and were smothered in amazing sauce, the kind of vinegar-based yumminess you can only get at a real BBQ restaurant. The macaroni and cheese was killer and the fried okra hit the spot; only the baked beans were bleh and we were overflowing with food anyway so it didn't matter. The only problems I could see at all would be the table size (definitely too small for three or more people) and the wait, which didn't affect us but clearly hit the people behind us, many of whom sat for the entire time we ate without receiving their meal yet. Hey, we had a great meal and will certainly be back (if we're back in Durham, that is) so give this place a shot, the food is killer.
(4)Kimberly Y.
Awwwwwwwww.....Q! Well I thought I'd go to the library today at Duke, but Alabama's Crimson Tide decided to show up and whup ass, so I couldn't get parking so off I went in search of sustenance. Well, well, well what did I find? Backyard BBQ ya'll! Oh my f'ing God! Forget everywhere else, this is the legit stuff. Tangy, moist and the guy dishing the stuff out was pretty cute with his plaited hair. The mac and cheese was like granny's stuff and the greens were tasty too. The portions are so large that I had to take it home for later. I will definitely return.
(5)N G.
The ribs were fall off the bone good, tender, and juicy. The chicken was also pretty good. Of the sides, I liked the sweet potatoes. It had just the right amount of sweetness to it. I didn't like the BBQ so much. The greens were tasty but a bit overcooked ( I came in pretty late so we'll try that again later). I'd come back for the ribs. Overall, it's a good value for the portions you get.
(4)Jennifer W.
My fiancé and I wandered in with a craving for BBQ. We both got the BBQ plate with 2 sides and hushpuppies. The hushpuppies were devine, and unlike any that I've ever had. They reminded me more of donut holes more than hushpuppies, but were delicious anyhow. The BBQ was so well done, nice and tender, well sauced, with a touch of smoke. Delicious! We both had the mac and cheese which was just stockpiled with cheesy goodness. I had the sweet potatoes which were a bit too candied and glazed for me. He had the collareds which were amount the best this yank has ever tasted. The reason for the 3 stars is the serious fly problem in the dining room. It's summertime in the south, so I can deal with flies, but I definitely could have done without the guy in the dining room running around with a filthy fly swatter! Also, they charged 35 cents for a refill on water. Come on, I could deal with paying for the cup, but not the refill!
(3)Caroline Z.
Tried the BBQ Pit for the first-time today at lunch. The restaurant is cafeteria-style; you can eat in, but we got take-out. There's a long line at noon when the RTP workers flood in. The crowds are here for good reason - it's good barbecue. We grabbed the Eastern-style vinegar sauce; it looked like there were some other varieties, but the bottles weren't labeled, so we weren't sure. It was good, as were the two sides we got - fried cabbage (that's a new one for me), which had a really good flavor and some gooey, yummy macaroni and cheese. We got very generous portions, with hushpuppies, for a reasonable price. In addition to the BBQ, they have fried chicken, ribs, and pork chops, plus lots of side items besides the two I tried. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Linda W.
In NC for two weeks and only made it here three times. See my previous review for initial impressions. Never saw the rib tips again, but if you do, grab some. Also the banana pudding was MIA two out of three times, so ditto on the grabbing because so far it's the best we've had anywhere. This time I tried the catfish and it was awesome. Yes, there was some grease in the bottom of the takeout container, but the filets were battered with something very tasty and fried to perfection. My husband stuck with the pulled pork and was sorry he hadn't tried the fish. We noticed on all three visits that a sizable number of the customers order fish, so BBQ is not the only attraction. Of course you have to wait for the fish, but there's always something going on to entertain you. Split a piece of strawberry cake three ways and it was OK, but not up to the banana pudding in sheer decadence. Noted that the health dept score was 96.4 and the floor was being mopped and the counterman was busy wiping things down when there weren't customers lined up, so I don't understand those folks who complain about the sanitation. Yes, it's not a chain restaurant and that's a very good thing.
(5)Nick F.
Did not know this place existed until a friend told me about it. Wow the pulled pork was so tender and full of flavor it didn't even need BBQ sauce. You will be hard pressed to find better hush puppies too. The ribs are delicious. My only complaints is that the sides seem somewhat weak, plus there are times when menu items are unavailable, other than that this place is great.
(4)Natacho K.
love this place! i discovered this place on yelp staying at a nearby hotel. and all the reviews are spot on. this place not only serves amazing carolina bbq, but truly has soul. i would highly recommend it!!! i went back once more during my visit and i'll be back next time i'm in nc. 5 stars for backyard bbq!
(5)Ted Z.
This is simply the best barbecue in Durham; yes, better than Dillard's, Bullock's, Q shack and Hog Heaven. The pork is smoked over hickory and oak, chopped and seasoned simply in a vinegar sauce. Ribs, chicken, pork chops, brisket and fish are also served. The sides match up in quality - my favorites are the mac and cheese, fried cabbage, and collards - all greasy and delicious. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for good eastern NC barbecue in the area.
(5)Melanie C.
Oh. my. goodness. I thought the pork was amazing. I had the pulled pork with the coleslaw, mac&cheese, and sweet potatoes. Hubby had the collards, so I tried that too. Oh, and hush puppies...cannot forget the hush puppies! The pork was moist and flavorful and I could really taste the smoke. I did not add too much extra sauce as I was sharing with Lilly and did not want it too spicy for her. I did not think it needed it, and believe me, I am a sauce person. The mac&cheese was good, but not as good as my mom's. I was not thrilled with the sweet potatoes. They were in a sweet, gelatinous sauce that was just so-so. The collards were delicious as were the hush puppies. Oh and the sweet tea was great! I am not always a fan, but I loved theirs. Affordable, tasty, casual....I liked reading all the writing on the wall. It said it all! I left our mark: Melvinly 2011 and Jersey girls like BBQ :)
(4)Ben L.
This place is the standard for my limited experience in E. Carolina bbq (Clyde Cooper's and The Pit in Raleigh). The meat is well chopped, but not too mushy. More vinegar-y than these other places. The sides were very good -- wholly unhealthy green beans and legitimately real cheese mac and cheese. Hush puppies seemed rather standard (again, I'm no expert), which means good. Tea was sweet, as is the point I suppose. Great, great stuff. I would be a fatter person if I lived within 35 miles.
(5)Andrew B.
This place has some good bbq! I had a standard plate with brunswick stew and sweet potatoes. Everything was excellent. Pig was very good and all meat. Sweet tea is excellent, as well, not over brewed like most places. Atmosphere is cafeteria style and the booths are a bit cramped. Pulls a serious RTP lunch crowd, so I would go early or late.
(4)Tom S.
The place is not much to look at but these folks have the magic for BBQ. The line was out the door the entire time I was there.
(5)Joe H.
Great bbq chicken, super tender. The bbq sauces were ok. The slaw was great. The stew was pretty good; certainly tasty. The hush puppies were very good. The best part was the price: $5.75 for all that.
(4)J C.
Pulled into the parking lot and it smelled 'right'. Great food, super nice folks behind the counter. We had bbq pork( a bit too mashed for me, but the flavor was on the money), catfish, pork ribs, and for sides we had candy sweet potatoes, collards, green beans, real macaroni and cheese. Write on the wall, or the ceiling if you can. Ask to see the pit and let the smoke envelop you.
(4)Mike M.
Umm umm good. Cheap eats and everything tasted great!
(4)Karen H.
My parents owned a barbeque restaurant when i was younger and I consider myself somewhat of an expert on the stuff. And I have to tell you...it doesn't get much better than this! I ordered the pork dinner with slaw and collards. Everything was fantastic. Just the right amount of seasonings and served by some of the friendliest people you'd ever want to meet. However, I can't say enough about those collard greens! Man, good is an understatement!
(5)Kelly M.
This place ain't fancy. There's scribbling on the walls and a framed velvet portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama but the bbq/soul food is to die for. I buy fried okra by the quart here, as well as greasy cheesy mac n' cheese, succulent pork ribs and tangy collard greens. If you come to the area and have an artery or two to spare, I suggest you visit.
(5)Pat S.
Wow! Real food, real people, great value for the money. Makes me sorry for what we've lost with the explosion of fast food joints and franchises. My chicken was so tender, cabbage was killer, collards a tad too salty for me, Mac & cheese was the real deal. Husband claims they were the best ribs he's ever had, and we both wanted seconds on the hush puppies. Dining area is basic and very clean; we were prepared to get take-out and find a park somewhere but decided to stay in. If I lived in Durham I'd be a regular customer.
(5)Carlos P.
Enthusiastic, polite staff serves up delicious, authentic BBQ. This is simple down home cooking, made to comfort more than impress. Menu has pork beef chicken and fish. Sides are of decent quality but lack originality and variety. Dining room has a serious fly problem.... get carryout.
(3)Chris P.
GoodMac and cheese. BBQ was good. Greens were great.
(4)Chris C.
awesome BBQ for the price. Its not a nice looking place by any means, but the food is great (and the crowd speaks for it). The ribs were awesome.
(5)Jamie G.
Quick service, decent price, friendly workers. Hard to find, but decent parking. Went in today, a holiday, and they were out of a few things, which I wanted: brisket and potato salad. I ended with pulled pork, Mac n cheese and okra. Chocolate cake for dessert. It was good. The place was a hole in the wall, but that's what generally offers the best food. Would definitely go back, and from the looks of the license plates in the parking lot, a lot of out of towners visit!
(4)Maxwell L.
Had the pulled pork and it was just a pile of soggy mush with minimal (if any) rub and no smoke flavor at all. Side of collards and Mac and cheese reminded me of cafeteria food. The vinegar based sauce had a nice mix of tangy/spice though. The other sauce was just excessively sweet. Water costs $.35.
(1)Will L.
This is definitely my favorite BBQ spot in the Triangle. Tasty, juicy pulled pork and awesome sides (love the mac & cheese and brunswick stew).
(5)Percy D.
*Note* I was in the last full day of my stay in NC and fully determined to sample some more BBQ spots, so I hit three spots up for take-out and then did a taste-test once I was back at my sister's place. Below are my thoughts on Backyard BBQ Pit. If you are trying impress someone on a date, this would be the equivalent of taking them to a buffet (don't laugh, I've seen that been done). Backyard looks like the inside of a men's bathroom stall, with walls written on to tell you "Casey was here 12-12-13" or so on, and a bunch of candy dispensers (a quarter gets you a handful of MIke & Ikes and such - well, unless you forget to put out your hand. In which case some of them bounce off the tray below and onto the floor) within arm's reach while you wait. But none of that is why you're here, is it? Backyard's food is pretty awesome: Pork BBQ: a slight spiciness to it; very edible. Pork Chops: I rarely ever order chops anywhere, because most chops fall well short of the best chops I've ever had (my own. Humility - not a strong point for me). However, Backyard's chops are the best I've had outside of my own kitchen. Or maybe my mom's. She and Backyard are neck-in-neck (just don't tell her I said that or she probably won't feed me the next time I see her). Beef Brisket: I'll tell you what: this isn't what I expected. I thought of brisket as dry, smoky, etc., and this is not that. It comes more like a beef stew preparation or, if you are familiar with Filipino food, it is something akin to beef mechado. That being said, this brisket is really, really tasty. Mac & Cheese: BEST I had at all the BBQ spots. Real cheese, melted and stringy when you spoon out a bit to eat. Collard Greens: This is what I want my collard greens to taste like. They have a slight sweetness to them that makes them yummmmmy. Hush Puppies: Crisp on the outside, also have a nice sweet finish to them. Of all the places I went to, Backyard's and Clyde Cooper's had the best hush puppies. Sweet potato: A little too sweet for me; I'd skip it next time. Green Beans: did not like these. But then again, I usually don't like vegetables, and people with me thought they were fine. All in all, we ordered three meals and three drinks, and it came out to $33.85. So good food, affordable price, accept credit cards...only knock is this isn't the place to go if you want upscale or ambiance, but again...that's not why you're here, is it?
(4)Bill S.
The real deal. Ordered Pulled Pork Plate and Ribs, collard greens, cabbage, boiled potatoes, and sweet potatoes, with SOUL. Outstanding bbq, fast service, and a constant stream of customers. Collard greens and cabbage were very good. Do not come here for the ambiance, it's all about the food, and the food is great! Slow cooked goodness, with pride. The food is Five Stars, but the dining experience makes the overall score Four. If you are getting it to go, this is Five Star BBQ.
(4)Gina A.
The five stars doesn't do this place justice. Or maybe I should say, Five stars means HOLY CRAP, THIS WAS GREAT BBQ! I had the BBQ chicken and it was the first time in my life that I have ever eaten a wing tip. Yes, that's right. There is actually meat in the tip of the wing, which falls apart quite easily. I'm not joking. I never knew this. The bones lifted off the breast I had super easy and I was looking at all meat, so good. I ate every bite of my collards and mac-n-cheese. Oh and don't get me started on the hushpuppies - I wanted more instantly. They ran out of fish so I didn't get to try that but now it's on my list of What To Get Next Time. A nice lady in front of me recommended everything she'd ever eaten there, and honestly so would I. Super inexpensive. I paid $17.00 for two of us, with drinks. And we got one of the higher priced items on the list. A Working Man's Special was $3.99 and was a BBQ pork sandwich with two sides. Go and try it! You won't be unsatisfied. I was there late for lunch, nearly 2 PM, and the line after me was out the door. They ran out of chicken twice while I was there.
(5)Robert P.
I'm not one to write a bad review lightly. This is my 2nd visit to this restaurant in a 2 year period. I thought maybe the first time I'd caught them on an off day or something, but decided to give them a 2nd shot based the reviews here. I'm now writing this review to remind myself a year from now NOT to go back here. Let's be very clear about this people...this is NOT good barbecue. If it were, I could overlook the poor condition of the building itself. My favorite BBQ place is in a gas station. This trip to Backyard BBQ Pit they have cut holes in the walls and installed 4-5 window air conditioners through the holes, unfortunately they did a poor job of it and there are gaps around the edges so the flies have freedom to come and go as they please. The men's room smells so strongly of old piss I could barely stay in there long enough to wash my hands thoroughly. Now, on to why we are here...the food. What the hell is wrong with the other people writing these reviews? The ribs were so over cooked that pieces of the bone came off when I bit into the meat. One rib had shards of bone in the meat from the poor trimming job, and one rib was half fat. The flavor was just OK. The collard greens were so gritty (think sand or dirt) that I could only eat a few bites, and the sweet potatoes so overcooked they were almost the consistency of baby food. Last time I had the pulled pork and it was so overcooked it was mushy. The only two positives were the sweet tea and the BBQ sauce (which I would buy if it were bottled). If you want good BBQ from this place, go down the street to Food Lion to buy a rotisserie chicken or something and bring in here to sauce it, or just go somewhere else.
(1)Richard G.
As usual, we are traveling millworkers and eat at restaurants around the country, eating at all kinds of these joints, and this place is nowhere near deserving of its (current 6/2014) rating. Allow me to explain: - Meat - We kind of veered off of our normal path of not getting the same entree, and both decided to get the "Pulled pork platter w/ 2 sides". The pork...*sighhh*, was a big let down. We came to this place expecting a good NC style pulled pork, but was instead met with a mushy, smokeless pile of meat that was nearly pre-chewed consistency. The flavor was bland, with a heavy pork flavor. Which might seem good to some, however it doesn't seem to have had a rub or any flavor enhancer, and again...i say SMOKELESS! No smoke flavor at all. - Sides - The side were decent, not many complaints here. We both went with mac and cheese. It was greasy indulgence. Gooey, stringy, greasy wonderful cheddar, and lots of it...just don't tell your cardiologist. I went with collard greens which were very good, if not maybe a little overdone, with a few big bitter stems in the bunch. The partner had sweet potatoes which he described as awesome. But how they looked on the steam table were rather unsightly and unkempt, with bits of miscellaneous side mixing in with other vats of sides. Take a bit more time, and be a bit more careful would be my advice. Or get better utensils. Also, there was a restaurant pan setup that was supposed to be keeping the cole slaw cold, but instead was filled with completely melted ice water, containing not thermometer to keep an eye on it. Bottom line is it was unsanitary and dangerous. - Service - The cashier was a wonderful woman, that seemed friendly as long as you told her your order precisely, and promptly. The servers however, like cafeteria workers, which, don't get me wrong, is charming at a lot of BBQ spots. Here however, they were i bit rude and rushed people along with overly pushy attitudes. Which, hey...Ive been around the block, and been to places where they literally yell at you. (Gates in KC anyone?). But again, there it was charming, here, they were just a bit crass and off-putting. - Atmosphere - Very dingy, very dirty; much of that comes from the age of everything. Walls with random graffiti by patrons that they encourage, which is fine. They only serve in to go styro clamshells; very wasteful. Butcher paper guys....it goes a long way, and paper cups maybe for sides. - Final Verdict - Subpar BBQ, unwelcome atmosphere, dirty conditions, bit some tasty sides: 2/5. Do not recommend. Unless you want some good mac.
(2)Karie K.
Being new to the RTP I asked around to find good BBQ. A coworker recommended this place as it was not too far from work and he told me lots of people go there. He had never personnally been there. I was not expecting a classy restaurant in the least, but I was not expecting the dump that it was. My coworker was right - there was a rather long line of patrons and the line moved quick. I ended up having the pull pork sandwiich with 2 sides...it was a good price. The meal was ok. Sadly I would never go back or recommend to anyone. The interior was so dirty that I actually considered walking out a few times, but it was so small I did not want to appear rude. There were flies everywhere. The writing on the wall - made it look like an abandoned building that kids vandalized. The tables were dirty and the staff was not friendly at all. I did not think the food was anything special, and I will say I was seriously worried about getting sick given the amount of flies in the small restuarant.
(1)Bryan F.
This is the real deal! First time here and I'm glad I beat the lunch crowd. I was 5th in line at 11:45 and when I sat down, the line was out the door. Tip - know what you want before you get to the front of the line! Dont slow things down. Glad I came here! Had the pulled pork with original vinegar-based sauce and mac+chee and collards on the side. Everything was tasty, original and authentic. Sweet tea was refreshing but not too sweet. Will come back real soon.
(5)Josh H.
Went here with a friend of mine. The atmosphere was definitely unique and the food was good. I enjoyed the Working Man's Special with mac and cheese and collard greens. If you're in town and looking for some authentic southern fair, this place should be on your list.
(4)Princess R.
We have seen this place so many times so we decided to give it a try. My husband ordered pulled pork and he said it was damn good. I wanted fish and they were out of flounder. The server said they have whittie and i never heard of that type of fish. I asked his to describe it to me me. He was not friendly at all it was as if i was bothering him. Worst customer service ever. Whittie to me i would say it tasted like flounder and it was pretty good the cabbage and collard greens were very salty. 9/20/14 server need people skills and i give him a 1/2
(3)Craig F.
I tried this place because of the great yelp reviews and was not disappointed. Pulled pork was tender and delicious. Cole slaw was the best I've tasted in years. Green beans were great, as was the corn and fries. I was not raised on southern bbq so I won't claim to be an authority on the "authenticity" of the food but I can say that I've eaten at plenty of southern bbq restaurants in the area and this is the only one I would go back to on a regular occasion. The ambiance in the dining area is lacking, but that only makes me like the place more. They're not bothering with fancy decorations, they're focused on producing great tasting food. And the prices here are VERY reasonable.
(5)Gail R.
Great place if you are in Durham and have a taste for a good ole barbeque sandwich
(4)N K.
I got barbecue pork. The meat was tender and flavored PERFECTLY. Some of the best shredded pork I've had. For sides I had corn and collards- both great. I've had better hush puppies although there was nothing wrong with these. Overall, food tasted fresh and (relatively) non -greasy. Prices are very reasonable. The only downside is that the dining area is a bit plain/stark. We got our meals to go since we were in a rush. This is this first time we made it here before they ran out of food. So it was also a personal achievement.
(4)Steve A.
Hole in the wall describes the place. I can't give it higher than 3 stars if you get your drinks from a soda fountain and there is graffiti (customer comments) scribbled on the walls. Great local BBQ. Need to return to better appreciate all the offerings. This visit was just for the ribs and brisket. All for under $13.
(3)Jenna R.
Food was amazing!! We'll be coming here again! Loved the brisket and sweet potatoes! A lot of people were ordering the catfish.
(5)Elle S.
love the juxtaposition of sharpie walls and service where everyone is called sweetheart
(5)Christina L.
Really good food. Line was almost out the door and every customer had great things to say about the food. You may need to hit the gym afterwards but it's worth it.
(4)Patrick M.
Very unassuming joint. Service a bit surly. Awesome food. Mac-n-cheese phenomenal. Pulled pork WOW! Cole slaw yummy. Line was out the door. We know why now!
(4)James E.
Had the pork sandwich dinner combo. Pork wasn't very favorable and Mac and cheese was dry. Overall, the my meal didn't knock me off my feet. The fly problem they were having didn't help my appetite either. Probably will check out other BBQ places before coming back.
(2)Adrian P.
I really like this place probably more than I should. Yes, it's a hole in the wall and sometimes the quality can be inconsistent. But man, I never liked pulled pork until I went to this place. The pulled pork is consistently divine, spicy and vinegary at the same time. It's like eating candy. The ribs are a bit disappointing, not because of the taste but because they are a bit fatty. The brisket is inconsistent, sometimes perfect and sometimes too mushy. The sides are consistently good, especially the hush puppies. Be warned that the Mac n Cheese is delicious but will clog you arteries just looking at it.
(4)Just Being T.
Its ok I think its over price for some of the food portions that you get. I got the shrimp and flounder which was 17.99!! The shrimp was battered good the fish was huge but needed more seasoning but atleast it didnt taste frozen. They really need to work on their portion sizes. Also I need for them to work on the sanitation in there.uggh. I could not hardly order my food for fighting off the flies in there. They give a new meaning for hole in the wall. Its really dirty in there,and seems to get worst everytime I go.
(2)Nikol H.
Excellent BBQ! Had the pulled pork and sampled all three sauces (personally prefer the vinegar style sauce). Okay sides, but the tender flavorful pork stole the show. Visiting from PA and this place came highly recommended for lunch. Get past the overall upkeep and the conversational-piece leaning table & you will find a great meal, at a great price. Be prepared for a line up to the counter, but it's worth the wait.
(4)Linda H.
This place is crave-worthy. I've been here only a couple of times but definitely will be back. It's a hole in the wall place with great Carolina style BBQ. My favorite here is the pulled pork sandwich and I put on extra vinegar, bbq sauce, and hot sauce. Not sure how the locals do it, so I just put everything on it and still dream about it today. The mac and cheese is a great side but the sweet corn is the best. It's perfectly buttery and sweet at the same time. Mmmm!
(5)Fred B.
I'm not sure what happened the first time I visited this little BBQ joint - don't know if they had a bad day, or I did (which, though rare, does occasionally happen), but we had lunch there today, and the food - all the food - was exceptional, including the Chopped BBQ. The pork is tender, moist, smokey, moderately chopped, and is properly sauced when served. The sauce is a basic Eastern NC vinegar based sauce, it is flavorful, but it is a mild sauce, no heat here. The slaw is a white mayo based, and just a tad sweet - goes very well with the pig. Plate with 2 sides is $6.49 - portions are not large on this plate (though in line with the price, I think), and you get 3 hushpuppies (which are outstanding, as well). The quart I bought to take home was a little short of $16. This was our first try at the Pork Ribs (plate was $9.49) with 2 sides - outstanding value (just check around on pricing), great portion, super taste. Pit cooked over hardwood just like the barbecued pork, the ribs are falling off the bone tender, Smokey, with a very nice sauce that is tasty and not overly sweet. I would come back here just for the ribs, and I haven't found many places I'd say that about. The Collards were also exceptional - tender and slightly sweet - haven't had many better. The Mac & Cheese was also very nice - absolutely thick with cheese. The Banana Pudding (all dessert servings are $1.89) is loaded with vanilla wafers, a little less pudding than some, but tasty - and it was served warm. Great food, friendly people who seemed to enjoy their work. Go early & often.
(5)Zubaer J.
Amazing BBQ food. The ribs were phenomenal and almost always fresh out the back kitchen. The string beans side was very good and tasteful while the cabbage also had a very rich flavor. The mac n cheese was usual, you can't really get that wrong. I will be making many more trips in the future. Many, many trips. The pork, which I really don't like usually, wasn't that great but definitely the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, I'm too amazed by their ribs to try anything else ever again from here. The BBQ flavor on them is absolutely perfect. Also, they have the best hushpuppies in the state. There, I called it.
(5)Julia W.
Best ribs I have ever had. The chicken and beef brisket were well received by my family as well. Everything is cooked so tender it melts off the bone. The place may not look like much but it is definitely worth stopping.
(5)Charlie F.
Get a greasy pork sandwich with hushpuppies, mac n cheese, and huge coke. Sit alone and eat the whole thing in 5 minutes. Heaven.
(5)Sarah J.
Spectacular southern food, especially the black eyed peas, collards!!!!!, and green beans. Amazing
(5)Amy M.
Not a fan of NC bbq. The vinegar base doesn't suit my taste as much as the tomato based bbq I'm use to in Texas. The hush puppies are delish though. I've never cared for hush puppies until I tasted the ones here.
(3)Bailey A.
Best BBQ experience in Durham (and I've lived there for 25 years). The greens and Mac and cheese are AMAZING.
(5)Aimee W.
Had friends in from NYC who were craving "real" BBQ. Decided to try this place. AWWWWESOOOMMMME!!!! (said in a sing-song voice) HOWEVER, was looking so forward to trying their okra or their collard greens (after reading other Yelp reviews) and they had neither available that day (we went around 1pm on a Friday) Great amount of food for the price. Had pulled pork, mac&cheese and corn. (corn was from a can - not thrilling) but the hush puppies were really good! NC BBQ at it's best! Not fancy in the least ... don't take your fancy friends there. They won't "get" it. (the NYers we took LOVED every minute of the experience)
(4)Arielle H.
Everything here is the bomb. My personal favorites are the macaroni and cheese, corn and of course the bbq. It's so good makes you wanna slap your momma
(4)Jennifer K.
Q shack had been my go to place, but I decided to check this place out because of the great reviews here on yelp. As soon as I stepped in, I knew I'd be taking my food to-go. The place was dirty! Flies buzzing around everywhere, messy tables, and the writing on the walls was strange. I still had high hopes for the bbq and ordered pulled pork only to be told they ran out. So I went with the ribs instead and got mac and cheese and beans for my sides. The mac and cheese was disgusting. The oil and cheese was separated and when I squeezed a macaroni, oil would just spill out of the sides. I had a few bites, wiped my lips of all the oil and pushed it aside. The beans were watery and unimpressive, but the bbq itself was good. I think the abundance of flies hovering over the food is a good enough reason for me to not revisit this place, especially with all the other bbq options in the area.
(1)Michelle G.
This place is exactly what the other reviewers says it is. A hole in the wall place with excellent pulled pork and BBQ. The Mac and cheese is phenomenal! A must go in the apex area!
(5)Sindura B.
Awesome bbq in town. Chicken pork and even the sides were delicious. Hole in a wall restaurant.
(5)Christina W.
We recently relocated to the area and are on the hunt for good NC bbq. We tried this place after getting a few recommendations and while all of their side dishes were awesome, the BBQ itself was lacking. We tried the pork BBQ, ribs, fried catfish, Mac n cheese, collards and baked beans (there was 4 of us!). The Mac n cheese while super oily was still my favorite part. The baked beans tasted like how thanksgiving smells if that makes sense?! All in all a good place but for everything other than BBQ
(3)Terry B.
Pulled Pork Barbecue, Hush Puppies + Mac & Cheese were to die for. I liked the sweet ice tea too. It's really a local, southern gem but I would have loved to see a cleaner store in general. But absolutely great taste for a great grpice.
(4)Paul V.
I saw this place on Man vs Food. As the show says ... Great food. My buddy came down from Pittsburgh and we checked it out. Stop by & eat.
(5)James R.
If you want healthy fare, this isn't the place. Intimate date? Better to get take-out and meet at your place. It's a dive. But holy hell the food is delicious. Vinegar sauce is really good. Mac and cheese is the best I've ever had. Staff are either super friendly or pissed off at the world. Doesn't seem to be an in-between. Don't count on their posted business hours...if they feel like closing early, they will close early. And running out of BBQ happens. At 6 pm. On a Friday. But if the stars align, it's definitely worth it.
(5)Jason B.
What this dive lacks in ambiance and parking lot, it makes up with in hospitality and flavor. I had the pork BBQ combo plate with pulled pork and brisket. This comes with 2 sides as well as hush puppies. I chose the recommended Mac n cheese and slaw, which were both good. Brisket was perfectly tender and flavorful. Pulled pork was super tender with a spicy vinegar base. I used both sauces that were available which include a molasses based sweet sauce, and a pepper flake spiked vinegar sauce, both were good. If you are feeling adventurous, opt for the pineapple lemonade instead of the sweet tea, you won't be disappointed. Price with drink for all came to $15, which I think is pretty close. You get a lot of food in the combo plate! Overall a good choice for the food, though I wouldn't recommend taking a date here. I could only give 3 stars as the furnishings make you want to bathe after leaving. I recommend taking the styrofoam to go, and enjoy in a more....civilized local!
(3)Jonathan A.
Ignore the appearance of the place but don't ignore the food. Looks can be and in this case are deceiving. The food here is second to none!
(5)Rod O.
Incredible Customer Service! Friendly! I told one of the guys working here I needed to look for a minute! He said "look? How about a taste"! Instead of asking me what would I like to taste he was Bold enough to serve us some samples, GLAD too because of the Brisket, Ribs and Chopped BBQ the BBQ wins! If Service counts I would give this place more stars, though as usual I'm here for the Food and though polite service is better than the opposite, if I have to choose, at a place like this the FOOD gets the Bulk of the stars! Chopped Pork BBQ 2 stars, Not very good! I have eaten worse, so it is better than some! A few! BBQ Sauces I like simplicity though one tasted like Ketchup with Chili Powder the other was not much better 1 star Mac and Cheese looked very good, tasted better than some, way too greasy 2 stars Collards, too stiff, needed to be cooked down more, too little flavor 2 stars We saw the writing on the wall once we were inside, writing is all over the walls, kinda cool! This place is a Hole-in-the-wall and I mean that in a good way, except the food could be Much better!
(2)Joshua S.
I was visiting RTP and decided to give this place a try. First, the smell upon pulling into the parking lot was amazing! The place: a dive, mixed seating, some wobbly tables and all the food is served in styrofoam containers. The staff: very friendly and seemed genuinely happy to see you. The food: superb. The BBQ pork was very tender with the perfect amount of seasoning, tangy and sweet. The mac'n cheese on the side was yummy, and the slaw was fresh made. All around, a great meal for a great price.
(5)Jon O.
A little torn on the 3-4 star rating here but I'll go with 4 since the service was so good and the food was decent as well. This place is very much the "grimy hole in the wall" type restaurant. The inside has all of the walls written on and they seem to encourage people to leave their mark which they do with reckless abandon. I had the pork plate with okra, green beans, mac and cheese and some hush puppies. Everything was fine but the hush puppies really weren't all that good. Not sure if it was a old batch or something but they were kinda chewy and flavorless. The green beans were the best side. I'm not sure what they put in with them but I suspect it is bacon grease or something to that effect which makes them a whole hell of a lot more tasty. The price was cheapish and you can get a good lunch time meal here for around $10. I'd go back here again but I don't think I would make it a regular stop.
(4)Natacha S.
First BBQ place I'd gone to in North Carolina! My husband had an interview for his now-new-job in Chapel Hill and on our first night in town, we went to Backyard BBQ because it was close to our hotel. It was actually really good, especially for the price! We had just landed from California and literally gone straight to this place to eat - so imagine my face when I walked in. Hahah! It's definitely like walking into a whole-in-the-wall southern food place. The oddest thing was the writing all over the walls. But hey, the food was good and I'd go back again for a cheap pulled-pork sandwich. The macaroni and cheese was also very comfort-food yummy.
(3)Chris V.
Food : D I got their pork bbq with a side of mac & cheese, brunswick stew. The bbq was so sweet that I found it inedible. The mac&cheese : terrible. Brunswick stew : sweet but the most edible among everything, hush puppies: zero flavor. Overall it was so bad that I could not endure more than a few bites. Ambience : C Cleanliness : D Flies everywhere. Don't know the sanitation score of this place, but if I had to guess it would be below 50. The only plus point I could find about the place is that the staff seemed friendly. No idea why others have given this place so many stars. May be they have never had good bbq like in Q-Shack or The Pit.
(1)Crystal B.
We found this place because of the food network show. We continue to come here for lunch because of the food and hospitality. The bbq is the best in triangle and the sides are sinfully good. The collard greens are better than any I have had. Even the collards at our family reunions can't compare! It is the kind of place you might otherwise drive by but once you stop and have lunch, you will be back many times!
(5)Sunshine W.
Really good food, I love the brisket and the vegetables. They really have that "southern grandma" taste that I love and miss so much. (RIP grandma) Anyway, the BBQ chicken is flavored all the way down to the bone and my husband loves the ribs. I don't care for the mac and cheese, it was cheesy but bland. The four stars is because the service is not always great. They were not rude but also not very friendly. The last few times that I visited, there were ladies fixing the plates and at the register and made it a better experience. It all depends on when you go. Definitely worth a try!
(4)Sarah R.
Dingy place but the kitchen is clean and the food is amazing. They have great Carolina BBQ and really good ribs too. The coleslaw, mac and cheese, and hush puppies are my favorite sides! The folks who work here are very friendly and are happy to make suggestions.
(5)Adam F.
Often with BBQ, the more hole-in-the-wall, the better. I've eaten BBQ all over North Carolina and Texas and this place is great. It's an incredible bargain, too. Stop in.
(5)Vanessa B.
The pulled pork sandwich plate is definitely the best lunchtime deal at $4.99+tax, and I could only finish half. The pork was very flavorful (they are the few that still smoke their meat) and MOIST, the latter of which is most important. It's a bit salty, but as a sandwich, its perfect. The collards melted in my mouth, and the Mac and cheese was not gummy and soft. I forgot to try the hush puppies, but the coleslaw was addictive and had a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Overall, my only complaints were that the collards were sandy, the Mac and cheese and collards were really oily, and the squeeze bottle sauces tasted store bought, but they really weren't needed. Even with these issues, I still give it 5 bc of the value and taste relative to other restaurants in the area. Oh, and while the place is crazy busy, the service is super friendly.
(5)Steven C.
This is some of the best bbq I've had in my 20 plus years in Raleigh. The pork was flavorful and juicy, and the sides were spiced uniquely and very well prepared. Its a run down hole for sure, but if you don't mind dining in relative squalor, this place is worth a drive.
(5)Scott A.
Simply home cooking. It's one of those moments about finding out why the long line. If you cook you expect more from it.
(2)Linda C.
Hands down. THE BEST BBQ IN NORTH CAROLINA. Yes, I am that girl that every single time I visit my family in Durham I have to pick up a quart of bbq to take home for the hubby and I. What ever they are doing in that kitchen is pure gold. We have not found a better BBQ place yet since we moved to Charlotte, and don't expect to. I can't say too much about sides except the mac and cheese will likely take a year off my life but it is worth it, and their hush puppies make my heart happy. They are all so kind here and I can only hope they expand (come to Charlotte please!). Love it, can't wait to come back.
(5)Jo D.
Best bbq in NC !! Everything was Amazing and the staff is so friendly and funny . Mac and cheese so good !
(5)Philip C.
I was very disappointed with the food at Backyard BBQ, although the people there are very friendly. The collard greens were great; not tough or bitter, and also not overly sweet. The hush puppies were very good and the pulled pork was good. The macaroni and cheese wasn't good. It was sitting in a puddle of its own oil. The brisket slices were absolutely terrible; not tender at all. In fact, they were so tough that they crunched when you bit into them. And $6.99 for small portions of one meat and two sides or $12.99 for two meats and two sides is no bargain, either. Carolina barbecue has a long way to go before I'll be impressed.
(1)Alexa L.
We were looking for an establishment that served legit Carolina barbecue, and Backyard BBQ Pit had a lot of people backing it up on Yelp so we decided on this place. Plus, the pictures showed that it was a shabby, no-frills restaurant, which suggests that the owners put more effort into the food than the decor, and that's a good thing. The parking lot is small, and the building is dilapidated. But the constant flow of people in and out of the entrance means that you can't judge a book by its cover. When we walked in, you see that every inch of the walls is covered in patrons' writing. Definitely a seedy joint..Anyways we got the pulled pork plate with the rib tips and the mac and cheese and sweet potato as our sides. You also get a couple hushpuppies as well. Everything on our plate was delicious. The pulled pork with the house-made bbq sauce was mouthwatering. The rib tips were super tender and flavorful as well. There were no complaints with the sides either. All in all, this was a really satisfying meal and a great example of Carolina bbq done right. My only complaint is that the sweet tea tasted sort of different..like they added something in it that gave it a distinct taste. It wasn't bad per se, it was just not like regular sweet tea.
(5)Abby G.
This place is the bomb! I had the pulled pork with collard greens and their amazing baked mac n cheese! It was deeeeelish. I was with 3 others and everyone was very happy with their meals. Plus, it's so cheap! 4 platters with drinks and our meal was $40! You can't even go to McDonalds for that cheap. Very friendly staff too! However, if you're looking for something fancy, definitely not your place. It's a total hole-in-the-wall place but those are always the best. :) Awesome family owned business that knows how to do BBQ!
(5)Karen W.
Great spot for true Carolina bque. The pork was so tender and the vinegar based sauce complimented the meat perfectly. Sides are abundant and the Mac and cheese is fantastic! Went for the green beans since the okra was sold out for the night. Staff were quick and very friendly. Can't wait to go back again.
(5)Maurie B.
Disappointed, expected famous Carolina bbq. Not what I expected. Brisket covered in brown gravy and turkey had no flavor. On positive note, hush puppies were great!
(1)Emily T.
The real deal. If you're looking for good southern food, come here. Tastes homemade and delicious. Don't you dare walk out the door without trying the Mac.
(5)Maggie N.
Super glad I found this gem! This is a dress-down, super casual place to grab a bite with a group of friends who don't care about lace-up shoes and dress jackets... The food is, however, amazing! Ive only ordered the ribs and it was outstanding!, most, juicy, mouth watering. The portion was generous, too - I always had leftover to bring home. Menu is simple but I bet if you like BBQ, you'll find something to order. The sides are great, too - I've seen a larger selection elsewhere but nevertheless I was happy. Definitely will come back to try the beef brisket... And maybe other dishes, too! I was going to say that this might not be the place for a romantic date, but heck, it will totallly work if the girl were a foodie...
(5)Jenn A.
Good value. $33 for four people. Pretty good ribs and smoked chicken, but minus one star for running out of pulled pork (it was only 3 pm) and minus one star for having slow service. Hush puppies are soo good though.
(3)scott d.
Don't be scared of this dive BBQ. The woman who runs the counter is super accommodating and friendly for a newbie like me. Food was soooo good, super tender, full of flavor. I got the rib and pork combo w Mac and greens....everything was superb. They even have some bottle beer too. Inside is a classic dive setting, not dirty but old....thank god I gave it a chance, this is the new GO TO! Steady lines of people coming in, no doubt the food is always fresh.
(5)Brittany G.
The food is absolutely amazing!!!! Great portions and low price!! This is a gem! BBQ chicken tasted good. Got the macaroni an cheese and green beans as my 2 sides, and the flavors were brought to life! So glad I stopped here while visiting Durham!
(5)Vanuchi E.
So delicious! This was such a great find - thank you Yelpers! It's a no frills BBQ spot with a small menu and EXCELLENT food! I had the pork and chicken combo, soooo good! The veggies sides were great too! Don't run when you get inside - it's not about the digs here - it's about the BBQ!
(5)Kory T.
The BBQ sandwich was the best thing about this visit. The hush puppies, cabbage, and French fries were sub par. The Mac and cheese was ok. The bun was soggy and the food was a little cold. Overall, I say visit and see what man. Vs. Food is all about.
(3)David B.
I came from out of town and wants local BBQ. Didn't disappoint. Food blew me away and customer service was an example of southern hospitality. Seems to be a local favorite.
(5)Sheryl P.
I stopped in for lunch today around 1:30 and the line was out the door! They have the best pork BBQ in town. The Working Mans Special is a great deal- BBQ sandwich with 2 sides for $4.99. They also have great ribs and chicken. Sides taste just like my grandmother used to make--home cooking flavors - simple and delicious!
(5)Drew B.
Don't let the exterior or everyone writing on the walls keep you away. BBQ pork plate and 2 sides for under 6.50 a plate. Mac and cheese is unreal. Authentic BBQ made the old fashioned way. I would have taken a picture but I was too busy stuffing my face. If you love southern food and authentic BBQ put this on your bucket list.
(5)Acey B.
Enjoyed the Mac and cheese but the pulled pork sandwich was just OK. Very fast and very cheap though.
(3)David A.
Good BBQ, not Great, but really good. Had the pulled pork brisket special with Mac and cheese and Brunswick Stew...never had Brunswick stew before, so 5 stars since I am a virgin. Pork was above average but I have had better (as in Smoque & the Pork Shop on Chicago, IL) and the brisket was great as well, but nothing over the top, good sides and 1 of 3 good sauces. As for price, I have had BBQ in Chicago for less, but I would still recommend this place, easy 4 stars, but far from 5
(4)Kevin C.
Came here with some friends right before they closed. To our disappointment, the party right in front of us took every remaining meat besides the ribs. We were forced to get the expensive ribs. That being said... the ribs were quite spectacular. The meat was extremely tender and slid right off the bone. Combined with hush puppies, mac and cheese, and sweet potatoes, the meal was a great experience. The ambiance is kinda divey, but the food made up for it.
(4)Dre D.
Heaven............................................Â........... I'm in Heaven!!!!! I'm from Brooklyn Newww Yawkkkk!!!! I came down to N.C. for a high school friends wedding... My.. oh... my.... I had the pleasure of devouring their: -Beef Brisket -Mac and Cheese -Sweet Potatoes -Hush Puppies The Brisket was so flavorful and each bite was so tender. It was like butter, effortless! The Mac and Cheese... One thing I hate about most Mac and Cheese.. is the watery base or the bland flavor.. Back Yard's Mac was rich in flavor, appearance. The Sweet Potatoes.... Now.. I've never tasted sweet potatoes like this before... they prepared it in this sweet glazed sauce... Lawd!!!!!!!! it was that moment when you want to keep eating even though you're full. The Hush Puppies.... I've had my share of hush puppies... but what I liked about this one was the crispness of it and the calm flavor. It was not sweet, which normally takes away from a meal. I would have kept thrown those back. It was so light and tasty! Mark my words.. if you are in the Durham N.C. area... and you're looking for a Bomb ass meal...... open that GPS app on your smart phone.. plug in that address above and do right by your mind and soul! This is legit one of theee best soul foods I've had. I'm a hard ass when it comes to diet and living well... but... When I'm in Durham.... I'm CHEATING!!!!! I posted a photo of my meal in my photos. (Feast your eyes on that) P.S.- This spot is in the hood! ..LMAO.. Don't come in here ready for fine dining or worried about what's in the food.... The establishment has graffiti all over the walls.. the tables look like your junior high school cafeteria.. nothing about the decor of this place will have you feeling amazed.. heck.. you might walk in the spot and think you're in the wrong place... BUT... trust Dre... you've arrived!! If it makes you feel any better.. take that TO GO! ENJOY!!! #approved
(5)Michelle K.
This place is highly recommended if anyone is looking for a place with great barbecue for a great price. I had the pulled pork sandwich with collards and macaroni and cheese. The meat was excellent, not too dry but not too soggy, and the sides were delicious as well. Cool atmosphere and great food.
(5)Lori R.
You want to treat out-of-towners to a TRUE Southern experience? Take 'em here. Your arteries start clogging the minute you walk in the joint! Everyone loved the pork bbq, and the brisket was very much liked by the one in our group who got it. The pork bbq looked very good, but I'd had a bunch of pork recently, so I went with chicken, mac n cheese and collards. Collards were tender and very tasty...they sure weren't the low-fat version I make at home. Again, the real thing. The mac n cheese that everyone else raves over, I found to be greasy and floppy and very cheesy. Not quite my thing (except for the cheesy part), but this is the way it's done down here, and they do Southern to a T! Chicken had a great smokey flavor, but I found it to be dry. Extra sauces come in handy. Food is served in styrofoam, divided containers. Servings are large. Love the sauces that are offered...all good! Service was very friendly. And for anyone worried about cleanliness, sanitation rating was 97. Soft drinks are in cans. I will say it was HOT in there. We went on a Saturday afternoon. And not that hot outside. Not sure if they have no AC, or it just wasn't working. They do have ceiling fans. So, if you need a true Southern bbq fix, done right...this is your place!
(4)Chait K.
I've eaten at some pretty famous bbq spots in Memphis and Texas and even in Chappell hill etc... but this place has more character than all of them combined. From the writing on the wall, to the slow mildly rude service, to the no frills atmosphere and rundown look, this place exists simply because of the food and that's the way it ought to be. Yes there might be a few tourists but this is still a locale spot which is nice considering they were on with Guy Fierre diners dives and drive ins show and could have jacked up the prices. $4.99 worker plates are you serious?! The clientele are truly from all walks of life. Black, white, Asian, young and old, poor and well to do. This place is true Americana. It's real food made for real people not designed to sell as much meat as possible and take as much money out of your pocket as possible. Do yourself a favor and eat here.
(5)Josh W.
This was my first visit to NC and after reading the rave reviews about this place, I decided to give it a try. BBQ Turkey was AMAZING, even without the bbq sauce. However, once I tried the tangy sauce, I had to put it on EVERYTHING! Ribs were tender, green beans had great pork flavor, slaw mixed well with the turkey, and hush puppies dipped in BBQ sauce ... HEAVEN on Earth. This place easily deserves 5 stars and a visit if you are a BBQ fan. Arguably some of the best BBQ I have EVER had in the states ... and I've had BBQ in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, Missouri.
(5)Miyoshi H.
The working man special is everything and for a great price. My only complaint was the bun. The bun takes away from the quality of a good sandwich. It was almost like the bread had been left open since some time last week. The food Mac-n-cheese was good and the candied yams were sweet. I would go again; however, I would get the sandwich.
(3)Ho J.
The ribs were really tasty. Nice flavorful seasoning and really tender meat. The pork bbq was kind of bland. Maybe it needed salt? The fried okra was good too and the hush puppies were nice. The collards needed salt, at least for my palate. Which is weird since the ribs had such great seasoning.
(3)Lauren R.
Wow! This place definitely wasn't what I expected. I was thinking an Allen & Sons-checkered-tablecloth-type place (I definitely think I skimmed other yelp reviews rather than reading them in full). It was instead a diner-like-aluminum-table-wooden-chair-type of place. Fine by me because the BBQ was great and the macaroni was heavenly. Plus, the pineapple lemonade was one of the best drinks I've had--it wasn't on the menu but so many reviews mentioned it that I shyly asked for it. The Food: * The BBQ was good. It was moist and tender. Some of the pieces were bigger than I'm used to (I've only started eating pork BBQ within the last year), but it was overall, some of the best I've had. About a tablespoon of the sauce went perfectly with it. * The pineapple lemonade was to die for! Seriously. It tasted fresh and refreshing (yes two "freshes" in one sentence). It was the perfect drink to go with BBQ. Pineapple chunks, a slightly tangy flavor. Amazing. * The macaroni was awesome. I may have lucked out by standing in line for so long because they put a fresh tray out there a person or two before I ordered. It was creamy and cheesy and gooey without being flavorless (a problem I've found too often with macaroni). It was the perfect tray-cooked macaroni--honestly, I'd go back just for the macaroni and cheese. Like some other reviews said, however, I can see the last bit from the pan not being as great as the piping hot stuff that I was lucky enough to get. * The green beans were good. Not amazing, but a solid semi-healthy addition to my otherwise not-so-healthy plate. I didn't have a strong preference for my last side, so I just asked the man at the counter what was best and ended up with green beans. Perfect--what I would have ordered anyway. I'd recommend them against the macaroni for a little balance and a little green. The Service: What I wasn't expecting was an order-at-the-counter from premade bins of food considering the great reviews. But, to make clear, that's what you do. It was hectic--6:30pm on a Friday night when I stopped by. I definitely felt out of place in a suit because the atmosphere was decidedly casual. Someone from behind the counter kept calling out "who needs something fried?" over and over (I take it they fry things to order, even if they scoop the BBQ out of a tray). The line moved slowly. I definitely waited between 15 and 20 minutes, and I was a bit surprised because, for the third time, they just make the BBQ plates/sides from pre-cooked trays behind the counter. It was definitely some of the slowest service I've ever seen (no one else there--unlike me--was in a hurry). Although everyone was nice, the inexplicable slowness bumps it down to four stars. The Atmosphere: This is super-casual. Grafitti all over the walls. Tables and chairs that don't match. I definitely don't mind that...but what bothered me is that the stand where you get your napkins, plastic forks, and BBQ sauce was in the middle of the restaurant, right by the line. Therefore, there's a constant mess of people in the middle of the restaurant. Also, there are three plastic squeeze bottles of BBQ sauce in this middle stand--and that's the only in the restaurant. The bottles looked heavily used and not-all-that-sanitary. I used them anyway and was fine, but a different method for distributing sauce would be nice. Overall, highly recommend for some great macaroni and BBQ. Excited to have some yummy food to look forward to on the way back and forth between Raleigh and Durham!
(4)Rob F.
It was as good as I hoped it would be! Try all the meats! They don't even need sauces! Mac n cheese is outstanding! Don't be afraid of the appearance. All the effort is in the food! Bathrooms are a dirty but this is legit North Carolina BBQ at its best! Don't forget to write on the wall ;)
(5)Eric S.
This place is amazing. The pulled pork is the best I've ever had. The ribs and sides are also really good. It's relatively inexpensive as well. Don't be turned off by the fact that it's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, it's all part of the charm!
(5)Jareth R.
The best BBQ ribs ever had the mac cheese was excellent and the HUSH PUPPIES are out this world i had try Kansas style we went Arthur Bryant's Barbeque and it sucks!!! BACKYARD BBQ pit win First Place. Place does not look very appealing but the ribs make for it.
(5)Dustin E.
Not even average - Meats okay, sides pretty good, hushpuppies were really bad, portions small to average. Cafeteria style- so they just scoop it up right in front of you. I won't go back and wouldn't recommend. Too many other good places.
(2)Ronnie B.
Absolutely the best! Great staff too. Brisket and the pulled pork are out of this world.
(5)Rachel H.
Not a bad local find! My friend and I ordered ribs, chicken, brisket, mac and cheese, collard greens, hush puppies, and the pineapple lemonade. Upsides The ribs and brisket was very tender and fell off the bone nicely. The brisket was a bit too fatty for my liking, but it was still tender and delicious. No complaints about the sides! They were delish! Generous with the BBQ sauce- you definitely don't need to get an extra container of it. Service and staff are nice and friendly. Downside The menu is not very user friendly. The list of sides are listed on this old sign above their service counter and not all the sides listed are always available. For example, I wanted okra, which they didn't have at time. The menu doesn't show that you can order combination platters. My friend had to ask for the brisket plate with a side of chicken, which we heard rung up as a combo. It would've been nice to know that is an option, rather than questioning it. The chicken was overcooked. It was a bit on the mushy side. It still tasted good, but we would've preferred the meat to be more tender rather than just than mushy. Hygiene- the hole in the wall atmosphere is not an issue, but I don't think the staff clean the tables regularly. The utensils are laid out in the middle of the restaurant and it looks like people drop sauce, food, and whatever else on them. Pineapple lemonade was waaaay too sweet. Maybe its a southern thing to have really sweet drinks (I keep thinking how tea here is just served sweet, rather than plain), but I couldn't handle the lemonade too well. Final Answer I would really give this place a 3.5 stars, but because of the downsides, I have to round down a little. It's not bad and as you southerners say- Y'all come back now!
(3)