As a local and a regular, I was genuinely surprised to see BBQ King sitting at a 3.5/5. I've eaten here countless times and have never had a bad experience. The food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and great quality. I know everyone has their own taste, and I'm not saying others aren't being honest, but some reviews seem based more on personal preference than the actual experience. For example, a 1-star rating from someone who simply doesn't like our vinegar-based sauce feels a little unfair, especially since that style is standard for our area. If you're looking for good, dependable, local BBQ with friendly service, BBQ King is always a solid choice. read more

I have loved this place every since I was a teenager and I am now 67. I pray they never go out of business because this is one of my favorite places to eat. I usually get take out and take it home but this place is the best for sure. I love the way they collar out the orders, so neat. Keep up the good work. read more

Food was outstanding, ambiance was classic, and the service was quick and polite. Don't skip the Mac & Cheese. read more

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BBQ is a STAPLE in the Lincoln/Gaston county area. Growing up we'd go to BBQ king often but didn't think much of it as a kid. Haven't been in a couple years just because I'm hardly on this side of town but picked up Togo tonight on the way to a ballgame.. and OH MY GAHHHH.. just told my husband we'll be back probably weekly on the way to our kid's games now. I called it in on the way and it was ready within 10 minutes. The wings were AMAZING!! smoked to perfection, crispy skin, juicy inside. Dipped in the classic bbq sauce was to die for.. I'm not a huge fry person but these were great! And the SLAW, uhhh mazing... read more

BBQ King - Smoked chicken wing plate - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

Delicious food! I love the poor girl with ketchup, pickles, mayo and slaw. They holler but it's for the good food!!

Best burgers, poor boys and bbq around. Been eating here for years. It's a Lincolnton landmark and institution.

First time in years since I've eaten there. It's as good as I remember. We ordered a BBQ plate and tray. Quick service great food. read more

Ordered the BBQ plate, got fries, hush puppies, and baked beans. The fries was alright everything else was extremely good! Would recommend giving it a try. read more

BBQ King - BBQ Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

Everything is great good food and excellent service. Everything runs smoothly. The food is always hot and fresh.

Its ok...their main sandwich is the BBQ king...I ate it a couple times...huge sandwich. But they shrank it by 33%. And their bbq has little if any hickory smoke flavor. read more

I just placed a pick-up order for a cheeseburger with lettuce, mayo, ketchup and pickles with a side order of fries/family size. What I got was a cheeseburger with a soggy top bun, one small piece of chopped lettuce, TOMATO, mayo and 5 to 7 pickles. The fry was the perfect size, but it was drenched in water from putting hot fries, unprotected, in a to-go styrofoam container. I had to use napkins to absorb the water inside of the container - the fries were soggy and ruined - totally terrible. I'm very very disappointed. read more

Not the best BBQ I've ever had. Not the worst BBQ I've ever had. Middle of the road. Not over whelming but, certainly not underwhelming. I did choose this restaurant upon the recommendation of a colleague who said it was the best BBQ in town. I love his enthusiasm, but I would tend to say that this was just OK. I did call for a pick up order and the woman I spoke to on the phone was super friendly and helpful. I put my dinner recommendation in her hands and she suggested the platter. The bladder comes with pulled pork and three choices and sides. I chose a coleslaw, green beans, and onion rings (of which she highly recommended). The pulled pork was plentiful and juicy. The sides of sauce they give you add a nice touch of sweetness and BBQ twain. The green beans were good, the only rings were very good, but the coleslaw left a lot to be desired. Not only was the coleslaw very limited in its portion size but it had very little flavor. I did ask about the sweet tea. She raved about it. A good call on her part. It was terrific. read more

BBQ King - BBQ Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

Food is delicious always. Noisy how they shout out orders but part of the atmosphere. Have eaten here for over 40 years. Wonderful.

When my Mother was alive and was a resident at an Assisted Living Center in Lincolnton, my Sister Martha would take her out for Lunch several times a month. BBQ King was one of her favorites. Her favorite menu item was Sliced BBQ with a Lexington Style Sauce. Personally I prefer Chopped BBQ with the Eastern NC Pepper Vinegar Style myself. Several of my friends love BBQ King as well and I think I went one time maybe 40 years ago. The have been around since 1971. All of the meat is smoked on site starting in the very early morning and everything is prepared on site. A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I drove over for Saturday Lunch. It's a through back to an earlier time for BBQ Houses but it's a nice touch. In honor of my Mother, I ordered the Sliced BBQ Plate with the Lexington Sauce and a side of Red Slaw and Onion Rings. My wife ordered the Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich with a side of French Fries. The BBQ was good but in the end, next time I'm going back to my Chopped BBQ with Pepper Vinegar Sauce. This is a taste I acquired when I was in College back in 1960's in Eastern NC. My wife loved her Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich and the Fries were good as well. Note that this is one of the places that does not accept plastic. Cash Only but they do have an ATM on premise. Fortunately I had cash on me where I did not have to bother with the ATM but just so you know, Cash only but they do take checks. Only other place I know that operates with this business model is Randy's BBQ in Troutman and Statesville. Will be back and give it another try later this year when it warms up and then I can sample the Chopped BBQ read more

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The best BBQ around! They are so welcoming, and it's like coming home! I eat there at least two times a week. They also have burgers, hot dogs, hushpuppies, and fries. Best place around! Try it, you won't be sorry!! read more

Ordered chopped BBQ plate and a tray. Very bland BBQ, no smoke flavor. Fries were barely warm, hush puppies were good and the slaw. Not a fan of vinegar bbq sauce. Should have tried a hamburger or hotdog instead. Quick service. read more

YUCK!!! I'm from Chicago where sauce is king. This vinegary crap was awful. It may be for some but definitely not for me. The smoked wings were ok but how the hell a bbq spot doesn't sell ribs and charge for disgusting bbq sauce. No thanks not my style. read more

Living in Virginia, but from South Carolina I like to think I Know BBQ, but after visiting BBQ King I have a whole new take on chopped pork! Piedmont style Bbq is my new favorite!! read more

My favorite thing here is the cheese king cheesburger, the fries and hush puppies are definitely good too, the service is friendly everytime i have went, the ambiance is what you would expect from a bbq sauce for those who say the sauce is too vinegar based dont know eastern NC bbq and in my opinion is no vinegar based enough, the brunswick stew is definitely a favorite as well read more

My go to spot for bbq and a good ole cheese king. Always have had a good experience at BBQ King.

I am not a fan of their BBQ. I think for me its a pork shoulder vs butt thing. IMO, a butt makes way better pulled pork. That being said, they have some really really good hand pattied burgers and some great onion rings and for those two items, I will definitely return again and again. So four stars for the burgers and onion rings only. read more

BBQ King - I stop here only for the burgers and onion rings! Really really good! - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

Stop 15/20 on the NC BBQ trail for us. This was a good stop in Lincolnton. Walking in, there was a big crowd and you order your food then wait for your number to be called out. The meal was very tasty (what you see in the picture is 2 plates combined to one tray). The tray comes with 3 sides, which is unnecessary for the portion size. The bbq was very good. Chopped well, wish we had some more sauce then our little holders but it's a pandemic. Hopefully table condiments return soon. The onion rings were amazing according to my fiancé. We both enjoyed the hush puppies. I found the green beans and Mac and cheese average. One heads up, if you want water, it's out of a sink. No water from the vending machines in the dining area. We enjoyed the place, but not sure we'll make a special trip for it again. read more

BBQ King - BBQ Plate - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

I've been going to BBQ King for years, and it is the best BBQ in Lincolnton. It's also the only "BBQ" restaurant in Lincolnton, though others offer it on the menu. Normally you can go up to the counter to order, and they'll scream out your order to the back (it's their thing, though I find it off putting) and you just stand around the front and wait for your tray to be filled with your order. They have a nice sized dining area with plenty of booths and tables. There is also a self service drink station for refills in the dining area. Rolls of paper towels are on the tables for napkins along with the usual condiments. I visited for take out on Tuesday and got a small cheeseburger and french fries. I used to think their cheeseburgers were the best in Lincolnton, but the one I got Tuesday was really not good. And, there was no salt or seasoning at all on the fries. And no condiments in the bag. It made for a very bland meal. The hamburger meat, which used to be charred nicely tasted like it had been steamed or boiled. No color to the meat, and no seasoning. I seriously threw away half of the sandwich and the majority of the fries. Most folks are trying to get take out right now to help out their beloved restaurants hang in there until we can open NC back up. But lately I've found that the takeout orders have been made halfheartedly and lacking in the quality we are used to. I'm sure they are overworked. I'm sure they are trying to learn how to do a 100% take out based business. But my business is down, too, and I need to be choosy how I spend my discretionary money. I will give BBQ King another try since they have pleased me in the past, but I'll wait until they open the dining room. read more

BBQ King - Cheeseburger and French fries - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina

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The food was hot and delicious! Always great place to stop and eat! Onion rings Poorboy Poor girl read more

Great food. Onion rings are usually a little soggy but other than that everything is good.

Very solid typical NC bbq. I'd have again but not a five compared to Lexington.

Their great. Been there once. Them being in Sherrill's Ford makes it a little far for me. Living in Lincolnton. Their menu also includes delicious sea food. Highly recommend this place. read more

Is it healthy? I can't imagine it would be... but it's the king. And it's sooooooooo good. That bbq sauce is crazy good. I also like their wings and tenders too. The ranch=thank me later read more

I've had a lot of BBQ in my life, but BBQ King is my favorite! There's nothing pretentious about this BBQ joint -- just good food in a no-nonsense setting. When you walk in the door, you instantly feel as if you've been transported back to the 1970s. You order up at the counter and the cashier shouts your order back to the kitchen. It doesn't get more old-school than that! My go-to order is a regular BBQ sandwich, hushpuppies and onion rings to share, and a sweet tea (half sweet/half unsweetened is the perfect combination for me). Despite being located in the western part of NC, their BBQ sauce is vinegar-based and tastes incredible. The pulled pork here has a nice smoky flavor and the meat is never grisly. BBQ King has been a long-time favorite in my family and for good reason -- they serve a mean BBQ sandwich! Just don't make the same mistake I did and get the craving on a Sunday (they're closed). Also, bring ca$h! read more

Great food and quick service. Barbecue and burgers. The onion rings are amazing. Been eating here for years.

Delicious bbq, onion rings and hush puppies. Friendly staff, order at the front and take your food to your table. No wait staff and they do charge 2.99 for using a debit or credit card. read more

A very basic North Carolina BBQ place with good solid food. Service was very quick and friendly on a very busy lunch time crowd. I had the bbq plate with 3 sides. Very good chopped pork bbq. Nice flavor on the bbq and very good classic cole slaw. Side of green beans well seasoned and French fries. Nothing special on the fries but my companions hush puppies were good. If in the area BBQKing is a good place to stop. read more

Our favorite restaurant in Lincolnton! We go here at least once a week! I know the word BBQ is in the name but we love the cheeseburgers! Try it with slaw instead and extra crispy fries!! Yummy! read more

Passed by on a road trip and were hoping to stop by for a quick quality lunch before heading back out on the road. We are completely unfamiliar with the area and the hostess wasn't very helpful with the menu. Inside, the decor is great. It feels like it hasn't changed since the 70s and it's really nostalgic. Unfortunately the food just wasn't up to par. The grilled chicken sandwich wasn't anything special and the onion rings were cold when we got them. Everything was just so glaringly average. The BBQ sandwich was just okay and the wings were good. But the place has been open for decades so the locals must love it. Maybe they know something we didn't? Social distancing wasn't enforced and neither was mask wearing. But they do have take-out options. read more

Very friendly & helpful staff. Good selection on the menu. Delicious food. Clean interior. Come get some!

Courteous staff! Great food! Always a clean restaurant! Even if they are packed out the door with the line, it usually doesn't take more than 15 minutes to get in and get your food and get out! read more

Please I'm begging don't eat here at all it's for the loco's only!!!!! Maybe that's the way they like itThe food was over expensive and Lousy!!! Bought some hotdogs and the Weiner didn't have any taste at all. The chili was burnt-tasting with no seasons. The fries were half done and smelt like a garbage truck. My friend's food was even worse than their burgers. We're over cooked to a crisp and the hush puppies he bought were like rocks read more

Been looking for a good bbq spot in Lincolnton. We pass this place all the time and finally got around to trying. We got the pulled pork and buns. We also had the mac and cheese. Wasn't the best bbq we've had but was decent enough to fill a craving. read more

Carolina BBQ sauce? More like a cup of vinegar I've lived in NC my whole life and that's not Carolina BBQ sauce.

Just moved to area and been checking out local places. Went to BBQ King and ordered a chopped BBQ plate and a side order of onion rings. This was take out so didn't see food till I got home. BBQ was good as we're the hush puppies. French fries were very under done almost white, but the onion rings were a mass of under cooked greasy onions, with little to no crust. Photo added read more

BBQ King - Barbeque Near Me - Lincolnton, North Carolina