Johnny Ray's Smokehouse

I hate that Leave a Tip is gone. I just wanted to say you can order half french fries and half…read morehushpuppies with your meal. Good stuff. Great service.

A local favorite Carolina BBQ place. It is vinegar-based bbq with Cole slaw and hash puppies. The…read moreplace was packed with patrons when we came in for lunch. Both my friends ordered hot dogs. The hot dog served with chili and Cole slaw piled on top. A unique combination.

Chopped Beef Plate (small)

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I enjoyed the food so much that I forgot until I was almost done to take a photo.

Thelma Lou’s Barbeque & Grill

5.0(23 reviews)

13.4 mi

We flew in just for the bbq. Arrived right after they opened and the dining area was already pretty…read morefull. We sat ourselves and our server was quick to get our lemonade order. We got the pulled pork sandwich and tots. Everything came quickly. Tots were golden fried, perfectly crispy. Pulled pork was topped with a cabbage slaw inside a toasted bun. All very good. Served hot and fresh. Server was very busy but took the time to be friendly and welcoming. Nice homey place to eat. Will definitely return. We're not from the area, we flew in for bbq. They're located at the end of the Shelby Co Regional Airport runway. You have to walk down to a gate, thru or around a small cemetery and across a two-lane rd. Well worth it.

I found this place on Yelp, and it did not disappoint. Great place to stop if you're off the beaten…read morepath!! Burgers and BBQ were great!!

Front entrance of restaurant

Pork & Burger

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Menu

JDs Smokehouse

4.7(338 reviews)

22.0 mi

The food is fantastic, the employees have a smile that greets you from beginning to end! Great food…read moreand great service!

JD's is always consistent... quality, taste, & service always at the highest level. This BBQ…read morerestaurant is the best in Burke county.

Inside

Pulled Pork with sweet potatoes and fries

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The interior

Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge

4.1(286 reviews)

11.1 mi

Best BBQ and hush puppies in NC!!! Congratulations on serving BBQ for 80 years!!! Cheers to another…read more80 years!!

Amazing Carolina traditional BBQ and staff that treats you like family all nestled in a cozy…read moresouthern atmosphere. Come for the BBQ, stay for the friendships. You won't be disappointed in either.

Jumbo Plate

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A little bit of everything!

Daddy Joe's Beach House BBQ and Grill

4.1(273 reviews)

25.0 mi

Service was top notch, everyone was warm and friendly right from the start…read more The food leaves a lot to be desired however. Lots of sugar in everything (even the BBQ slaw was almost unbearable) and the pulled chicken was lacking in flavor and freshness. Onion rings were good though. I would not recommend.

Barbecue is really good on the keto diet so that was my plan for lunch today. I arrived just before…read morenoon on a busy Sunday, getting the last table in the dining room before it was completely full. After a quick look, I opted for their famous chopped pork plate with double cole slaw. I learned later that I got just about the last of the day. Yes, this is fresh and it sells out! And why does it sell out? Because it is really good queue. Moist and flavorful though I think it would have been better without the sauce added in the kitchen. I did have one nibble of a hush puppy. Light and fluffy and just a little greasy. Very, very good. And not keto so I skipped the rest. Overall, really good service and great pork that doesn't need the sauce. [Review 666 of 2025 - 1291 in South Carolina - 24227 overall]

Take out counter

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Gaffney, S.C.

Boulevard Barbeque

4.0(78 reviews)

23.8 mi

The food was incredible! My Dad and I walked in thinking it would be like any drive through…read morebarbecue place and we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the materials used in the building. Definitely a top notch barbecue place with top notch service and hosts to match it. We will definitely be coming back here. Ambiance was perfect even though we got take-out. 100% recommend this place to anyone who enjoys barbecue or is looking to try it for the first time. Thank y'all so much!!

Stopped in for lunch on business trip. Ordered brisket tip sandwich with au jus and horseradish…read moresauce, fried okra and fries. Brisket was so dry and chewy even when dipped in au jus and sauce that I had hard time swallowing. Very little flavor and bark was hard as a rock. Okra and fries were over cooked. I eat bbq all over the SE and Mid-Atlantic while traveling and I have only had brisket less favorable and dry at one other place in Raleigh.

Eating area

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Large restaurant eating area

The Smoke Pit

4.0(275 reviews)

23.4 mi

Another great meal at the Smoke Pit. The service was great as always and the food was great. The…read moreburnt ends are cooked and sauced well and the corn is excellent. The red slaw never disappoints. The restaurant is always clean. They do a great job with the food and service.

Stopped by to celebrate and recover after a local half marathon in Charlotte. Place was busy…read moreimmediately when we waited up, told 30 min and placed in line but I'm fairly sure they text sooner. Service was friendly and quick as we figured out what we wanted. The inside stayed busy, not loud but not quiet either. Good arrived very quickly and was solid Barbeque. I didn't feel the success were anything too unique. Mac was good but I felt it needed a lil salt and pepper. Texas Twinkie was definitely the most unique bite, was rich with the cream cheese. Overall would eat here again. The ranch was fantastic!

Bar area

They got some seriously good #Brisket Super Spud out here.

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Sauce Choices

Big E Original BBQ Company

5.0(1 review)

15.8 mi

The Big E BBQ plate offers a generous amount of smoky, juicy pork, a soft bun, fresh and…read morewell-drained hand-cut fries, sweet and crunchy coleslaw and a canned soda or bottled water, all for $10. The fries are incredibly fresh. The pork is stellar, just what I like, with a side of sweet barbecue sauce for pouring or dipping. There's enough pork for two sandwiches OR for one sandwich and some extra on the side, just the way I like! Sandwiches are also available for $6 and fries for $3. Big E isn't always available at this site on a regular schedule at this point, but you should get a taste when it's there. Big E also offers catering as well as ribs on occasion by pre-order for $25. In a town with no brick-and-mortar BBQ restaurant, Big E is much needed. Friendly and fast service, too. I was told I'd have to wait a bit for fresh fries. Less than 5 minutes later I was back in the car with my food. Cards accepted. Lot available for parking near a Mountain Rest Cemetery entrance. Follow Big E on Facebook for info on when barbecue will be available!

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Circle B BBQ

3.9(8 reviews)

21.4 mi

Amazing pulled pork and fries. Super friendly staff. Go early because they tend to have people buy…read morethem out of some items that are prepared daily. I love the interior, it is decorated a bit like an old school garage/restaurant.

3 people in whole place and i got the wrong order i ordered pulled pork white slaw hush puppies and…read moregot fried okra instead of slaw on my to go order pulled pork no award winner hush puppies not from north carolina slaw i dont even know how bad it would have been not worth the drive

Offers

Hush puppies

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Scratch made sides

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Daniel W.

228

42

81

2 years ago

Johnny Ray's Smokehouse exceeded my expectations! The portions were incredibly generous, ensuring you get great value for your meal. The wait staff was not only attentive but also exceptionally charismatic and kind, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The food was outstanding, with every dish bursting with flavor. The dry rub wings were a highlight for me--they were shockingly tender and seasoned to perfection. If you're looking for top-notch BBQ with great service, this is the spot to visit! read more

Jake D.

0

2

0

3 years ago

I recently dined at Johnny Ray's Smokehouse in Lawndale, North Carolina, and it was a delightful experience. The chicken sandwich exceeded expectations, perfectly seasoned and cooked. The service was excellent, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that perfectly captured the small-town southern vibes. Kudos to the owner for not only serving fantastic food but also for attentively listening to customer feedback, making it an even more enjoyable dining spot. read more

Rain K.

0

1

0

4 months ago

Wonderful restaurant, the food never fails to disappoint! Very homey vibe as a local and raised southerner. The service is always so incredible! Especially from my host Irelyn. She's so kindhearted and patient, she was able to handle the struggle of losing wifi in the restaurant with such ease, it was impressive! read more

Joey D.

0

3

4

3 months ago

First time in North Carolina and this is why i'm coming back! Burger had me wanting a nap half way through it was so filling. Ribs were the best around. 9.1/10 read more

Sherry W.

0

1

0

5 months ago

The food is always good. Service is fast and the atmosphere is great! The smell coming from the kitchen will have your mouth watering and belly growling! read more

Julie B.

0

2

0

3 months ago

We absolutely will be back, Lunch specials are a good value. Food was great and staff friendly and efficient.

Johnny Ray's Smokehouse - bbq - Updated July 2026

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We flew in just for the bbq. Arrived right after they opened and the dining area was already pretty…read morefull. We sat ourselves and our server was quick to get our lemonade order. We got the pulled pork sandwich and tots. Everything came quickly. Tots were golden fried, perfectly crispy. Pulled pork was topped with a cabbage slaw inside a toasted bun. All very good. Served hot and fresh. Server was very busy but took the time to be friendly and welcoming. Nice homey place to eat. Will definitely return. We're not from the area, we flew in for bbq. They're located at the end of the Shelby Co Regional Airport runway. You have to walk down to a gate, thru or around a small cemetery and across a two-lane rd. Well worth it.

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I hate that Leave a Tip is gone. I just wanted to say you can order half french fries and half…read morehushpuppies with your meal. Good stuff. Great service.

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