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Checkered Flag Barbecue

4.0 (28 reviews)
InexpensiveBarbeque
Closed • 6:00 am - 5:00 pm

Checkered Flag Barbecue Photos

Business Info

CHECKERED FLAG BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Rusty J.

I have passed this place several times and finally decided to give it a try. It was lunchtime and barbecue sounded like a good plan. The tables were distanced apart. The servers were wearing masks. We sat at an available table and were approached by our server right away. We placed our orders and our food and drinks were delivered promptly. The service was friendly and efficient. I got a sliced barbecue sandwich and my date a chopped barbecue sandwich. Mine was good(not great) except it wasn't warm. The chopped sandwich was warmer. The slaw on the sandwiches was good. The price was very fair for what we received.

I normally get good food from here but my husband, who was eating lunch with the men of our church, bought me a bar-b-que 1/2 chicken plate. When I started to eat my chicken it was so dry that the chicken was shredded strips that were not ate able. Even applying more sauce did not help. When I called to complain I was told to bring it back. My husband was back at work and me being handicapped I can't drive. She told me that there was nothing they could do. That to me was poor customer service. She could have offered a discount on next meal or a replacement on another day. Or an I'm sorry which I never received. Will not eat from there again.

The Qualifier with Potato wedges
Amanda V.

I've waited to try this place for a good while! But every single time I went, they were either closed or the place was PACKED!!!! Luckily, I was finally able to see what the big deal was. From the outside, the place looks pretty small. Whenever you walk in, it's very surprising to see how spacious it is. They serve everything from breakfast to lunch to dinner. Items include several sandwiches, Burgers, BBQ and even heavier dishes (think spaghetti, chicken fried steak, numerous veggies etc). I was immediately greeted upon walking in and my family and I chose a spacious booth to sit in. My toddler daughter was very happy with her grilled cheese. I ordered the Qualifier, which is a grilled chicken sandwich with delicious honey mustard, grilled onions, bacon, and cheese on a massive 5 inch bun. I got a side of potato wedges instead of fries. The only critique I have of the sandwich is that I would get double the onions and bacon next time. The wedges were so good as well!!! My husband ordered a footlong hotdog with fries and a side of hush puppies. He loved the hot dog, but wasn't the biggest fan of the fries. The hush puppies are the size of goofballs and pretty decent. Our server was excellent, and very patient with us as we mulled over the menu to decide what to order. The sweet tea is very sweet, so if you want less sugary tea, I'd suggest ordering half sweet/unsweetened. Can't wait to go back and try their menu! Average price would be around $9 a person as a ballpark estimate.

Definitely a NASCAR theme
Fred B.

Despite the name, this little restaurant's strong suit is not its barbecue, at least not for us. It may well be in their breakfast fare (pancakes made from scratch, additional time required for prep), but we haven't tried that, but their daily specials, meat and 2 options are pretty damn nice! This is a small place, quite a ways out S. Main, almost to Jake Alexander Blvd, that serves up 3 meal a day, and has a varied menu - with all the breakfast usuals (and a few unusuals, like a French Toast & Liver Mush Combo), Daily Specials & Meat & 2's like Country Fried Steak, Fried Flounder, and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, a large number of sandwich choices including a nice array of specialty sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and of course, Pork BBQ, and even a Beef Brisket Sandwich! We had the Country Fried Steak, and the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, and our food was on the table very quickly. The fried steak, with a super white pepper gravy, was excellent, among the best we've found in the area. The mashed potatoes were real, smooth and creamy, covered with even more of that great gravy. The Fried Okra was also very well done, and there was plenty of it. The Spaghetti was also very good, with plenty of meaty sauce that had some sharp flavor. The Texas Toast was not at all good, limp and soggy. The garden salad was OK even though the blue cheese salad dressing was a packet of Ken's. I tried a hot dog and this is a very nice chili dog, one that I'd definitely order again. The Chopped BBQ Sandwich was not good at all. There was not a lot of pork, and what was there was old tasting, and there was only a touch of BBQ Slaw - would not order this again, there is too much excellent BBQ around Salisbury to mess with this.

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4 months ago

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10 days ago

Very good. Everything was tasty. Great Q and potato salad. Servers super nice and funny.

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6 months ago

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5 years ago

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10 years ago

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

It is hard to get breakfast just right and they did it. The service was terrific, with someone coming by to check about every 3-4 minutes.

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The Smoke Pit

The Smoke Pit

(602 reviews)

$$

We stopped by with a group of 6 while traveling through Salisbury. Our neighbor recommended it so…read morewe wanted to try it out. I'm so glad that we listened to him! My parents were with us and got pulled pork & pulled chicken. I stole a hush puppy from my mom and it was delicious! Their sides were spectacular--broccoli salad, corn, and macaroni. My husband got a brisket sandwich with macaroni. His brisket was fantastic! You could see the smoke ring and it tasted smoky, it was tender, flavorful. My daughter got chicken tenders with macaroni--typical for her but she definitely enjoyed it. I got a pulled pork sandwich with white slaw, fried okra, and sweet potatoes. My dad took a few and said they were so perfectly cooked that it was like throwing down some popcorn. The sweet potatoes made me think of Thanksgiving! If you're near Salisbury, you will definitely need to stop by.

I kept hearing about the smoke pit so I made a special trip out to experience it, and it did not…read moredisappoint. The interior has such southern charm and is very clean and bright. The server was attentive and so so nice, she made me feel right at home and gave great suggestions about sides and meats. The bbq was amazing! I tried the pulled pork and the sausage and I tried several of their bbq sauces available on the table. There wasnt a single one I didnt like. I went on a wednesday and you get an extra free side so I took advantage and got slaw, Mac n cheese, and the fried okra. It came with pickles and pickled onions and your choice of hushpuppies or cornbread. To be honest the only underwhelming thing were the hushpuppies. They were basically cookout hushpuppies, not homemade or original, however the okra blew me away it was so freaking delicious! I don't know how often I will take a special trip out there but if I want bbq I know where to go.

College Bar-B-Que - BBQ sandwich

College Bar-B-Que

(75 reviews)

$

College Barbecue has great food, low prices, and unbeatable southern charm!…read more Throughout my childhood my dad has taken me to College Barbecue many times, as nothing says Salisbury more than this place. It has a retro theme, which also makes you feel a bit cozy and makes you feel like you belong. If you are a regular, you will see people you know and will build connections with the waiters. It is truly a small family at College Barbecue. Their hotdogs are great, and haven't changed the recipe one bit. They are footlong hot dogs (just so you know), and typically come with crinkle cut fries. Their fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and always are great quality (not hard). They come lightly seasoned with salt, but there is seasoned salt in the restaurant for you to get up and grab. You know you're in Salisbury when they have a dedicated pitcher for Cheerwine, just like tea and water. If you are coming with the church crowd or are stopping in for Saturday lunch, expect a wait. Even though they have a small parking lot, parking it generally not an issue. They also have a drive-thru if you prefer that instead.

TLDR: A true Carolina classic with great barbecue, retro diner vibes, friendly service, and prices…read morethat seem frozen in time. College Bar-B-Que in Salisbury, NC is one of those rare places that truly captures the heart and history of Carolina-style barbecue. This spot has been around for what feels like forever, and it's been dear to me since my college days at nearby Catawba College. Back then, my friends and I would come here often for lunch or bring our parents for a comforting Southern meal. It's a place that has something for everyone, and thankfully, it has stayed remarkably true to its roots. The look and feel of College Bar-B-Que haven't changed much in over 20 years, which adds to its charm. The black and white diner-style tile floors, retro booth seating, and cozy dining room make you feel like you've stepped back in time. Even the small quirks, like having to go outside and around the right side of the building to reach the bathrooms, remain the same. I also love that you still get your bill from your server but pay at the register up front--just like the old days. On my recent visit, I ordered the large chopped BBQ tray, which was just $10. I'm convinced that's the same price it was 15 years ago. I also got the chuckwagon sandwich with fries, which is basically a chicken-fried burger. Both were exactly as I remembered them, fantastic. The barbecue was tender and flavorful, the slaw was perfectly tangy, and the hushpuppies, still golf ball-sized, were crisp on the outside and slightly sweet inside. Even at 4 p.m. on a rainy Monday, the place had a steady stream of customers, which says a lot about its reputation and loyal following. Service was as warm and welcoming as ever, filled with that genuine Southern hospitality that makes you feel right at home. College Bar-B-Que isn't just a restaurant; it's a living piece of local history that continues to serve up comfort and nostalgia in every bite. If you ever find yourself passing through Salisbury, do yourself a favor and stop by for a delicious, affordable meal that embodies the best of Carolina barbecue tradition. Five stars from me.

The Hotdog Shack - Hot dog all the way. Slaw on the side.

The Hotdog Shack

(49 reviews)

$

The people who work here are so nice. They're prompt! In and out! Unfortunately the hot dogs were…read morevery underwhelming. The chilli sauce had zero flavor. I got two dogs didn't even finish the second one. One of the worst hot dogs I've had. I think they thrive because of longevity. Maybe I should try the burger.

lunch was almost six hours ago so I'm kinda hungry and nothing fixes kinda like hotdogs. and they's…read morejust ten minutes away so why not? a short while later I'm pulling up on a little shack that's advertising hotdogs and figure this must be the place! several tables outside under a roof and when I get inside I find a counter and two small tables. menu is on the wall and laminated sheets list the specials up to and including a 12-dog family pack... cool!! got two dogs, fries, drink, and a dessert for less than $10 so that'll work. mustard, oñion, no relish plus jalapeños did alright by me; dogs are a bit limp but they're also bright red so maybe that's just how they are..? fries are hot and potatoey but not too potatoey and pair well with ketchup so I'm good here too. little packaged oatmeal cream cookie for afters and an orange Nehi to wash it all down. not quite a dinner for the ages but it'll do for tonight. couple young ladies behind the counter doing prep work and taking orders and being generally pleasant and helpful. cook is friendly and got me a punch card so what's not to like? rounding up because I've no reason not to ;-)

Checkered Flag Barbecue - bbq - Updated May 2026

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