NC/TN BBQ Pilgrimage - Lexington/Ridgewood. Suggestions?

[klmonline]

We're going to take a long weekend and drive from Raleigh across the Tennessee border to try out Ridgewood BBQ in Bluff City. Then we're going to come back via Lexington to hit Lexington BBQ and probably continue back east on 64 to visit the NC Zoo. Or we might do it in the reverse order. No matter.

Any other don't miss suggestions along the way? BBQ is the main thrust, but other great roadfoods would be warmly welcomed.

[lilyanna]

OhhGAWD! I forgot about Keaton's - the most amazing backwoods shack chicken, fried then dunked in spicy sauce. But they're not open on the Lord's Day, either. And they're not NC BBQ, from east or west.

[steveindurham]

Blue Mist Bar-B-Q in Asheboro on 64 gets good reviews. I like Backcountry Bar-B-Q in Linwood (off Exit 88 -east of I-85) just 3 miles south of Lexington.

[KyMikey]

I took quite a BarBQ tour several years ago and Ridgewood was the only place on the entire trip that was overrated (the BarBQ, anyway)--beans were great, tho. Good Luck.

[klmonline]

Thanks for the suggestions! Keep 'em coming... It's not too late.

[jerseyguy2000]

If you're staying overnight near Johnson City, I recommend Sunny's Cafeteria for lunch. Also, if you want an alternate barbecue joint in Lexington, Jimmy's is very good, and is open on Sundays.

[carolinadawg]

I'm almost certain that Lexington BBQ is not open on Sundays. Keaton's, located near Statesville, is a wonderful roadfood place...just a raod side shack with great barbecued chicken. They have a website...just google it. They have odd oprating hours and days, though.

[lilyanna]

I suggest the Barbecue Center in Lexington, though I don't know if they are open on Sundays, or perhaps Lexington Barbecue.

Try to hit a place that cooks their pork shoulder over wood. Many of Lexington's 20-plus bbq joints use electric cookers now and maybe it's just in my mind, but I don't think it is the same experience.