Go for the meat and the true country NC ambiance. Barbecued chicken is amazing. Sides not too special. Great setting. read more

Periodically I just HAVE to have some Keaton's barbecue chicken! And they do a fantastic job of wrapping and bagging each and every order. I was out there last week on 3/6/2026 and got a brand new fresh menu. So I will post that here as well. read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Current menu March 2026 - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

Chicken was delicious we got the sauce on the side ... my wife said the pork was good. The sides... not so much. (We had green beans, mac and cheese, slaw) I would go back for the meat. Staff was super nice read more

Great food. Chicken, macaroni and cheese some of our favorites. Love the ride getting there

I ordered the half chicken with white slaw and Baked Beans. So, so good. I ordered the mild, others ordered the spicy. All was enjoyed. Will be back and leaving Hearty recommendation and you're full when you leave. read more

In the middle of nowhere you will found this restaurant that is known for their hot dip chicken and that's like the only thing people order. You will see plenty of people drive from Statesville or nearby to dine here during lunch. I usually don't get very spicy chicken, mild is spicy enough. Everyone is freshly made so the chicken is juicy and hot and plenty of flavor. read more

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A North Carolina classic for a reason. The building is a run down cinder block dive in the middle of nowhere and it hasn't seen a can of paint or a new floor since Methuselah was a baby but damn, the chicken is good. Hard fried chicken, white or dark, bathed in a thin bbq dip, spicy or mild. There may be something else on the menu but you don't come here for anything else. A side of slaw, either red or white, and some baked beans and tea and life is good. Make sure you have time to wait or call ahead to order. The chicken is cooked to order and you can be waiting around for a good while. So worth it, though. read more

The best chicken, barbecue, and fixings around! The women out front were amazing. It is definitely worth the trip, and the prices are very reasonable. Just remember that they are closed on Monday! read more

What an amazing hidden gem and to think we've lived here for 20+ years and this was our first time here.... I'm ashamed of myself! Super friendly staff, quick service and the FOOD!! The Hot Chicken is simply amazing and plenty of lovely sides to pair it with. Definitely will make Keaton's a regular spot! read more

Live nearby and get their chicken often. Nothing like it anywhere, I promise! Don't let the little Bohemian looking building fool you, there's a real treasure awaiting inside!! read more

Better attuned to Call In and Take Out than in Dining Room setting. Been on my bucket list for years and finally made time to grab lunch here or should I say, tried to grab lunch. It's got a great reputation in NC for BBQ but let me qualify that by saying it's noted for it BBQ Chicken foremost. They also advertise Pork which to me is the epitome of BBQ. Only about a 20 minute drive from work but this place is really out in the country. Pulled in, walked in and walked up to the counter to review the menu and place my order. Everything is counter service. We started with my beverage order which was half and half tea. Should have suspected a problem when the young gentleman at the counter said he wanted to get that first since he was the only one there. Probably the only one up front but should have given me a hint that this was not going to work out well. Ordered a BBQ Pork Sandwich ... stop ... we're out of Pork. Plan B: Two pieces of Chicken ( White Meat) along with a side of BBQ Beans and Potato Salad. Paid and the young gentleman brought the tea to my table. Let me qualify things. It's not table service, you pick up at the counter. Next month I have hip replacement surgery and they were very kind. Almost no one in the dining area but a good crowd had called in for Carry Out. Too bad you can't call in and dine in but that is the policy. Sat there patiently for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and finally they called out number 56. My number was 55 so I asked and was told the 55 was for take out and mine was not up yet. With that, I left. The young gentleman at the counter popped his head out the kitchen door and asked if I was leaving. I said yes and he replied, well they are getting ready to start your dinner now and you will be next. 35 later and they are just starting to prepare my food? Don't need that. Told him to pass it on forward and to give it to someone else. My time is valuable. I run a plant and while I have a great degree of flexibility on time, I could easily taken the time but my employees needed me to be there and accountable. Food may be good but if you don't get a chance to try it, can not comment on how good or bad it was. Based on what I say, their trade is not geared to the dine in traffic but to a rather loyal group of local who know enough to call in ahead for takeout. read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Front Counter - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

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I am giving you a 5 star review today, however, we've been eating at Keaton's for 40 years and this is the first time we were served old dried out chicken. We were shocked that this was done, Kathleen would have never done this. Secondly, Keaton's is known for their very unique and one of a kind recipe for their BBQ chicken and it is a sweet and spicy sauce and the chicken we got yesterday was without any sugar in it to give it that sweet part of the sweet and spicy. I would recommend that you make the recipe that you've had since old man Keaton came up with it 70+ years ago and not leave stuff out. We will hope that this was a one off and keep coming back to the same FANTASTIC BBQ chicken you've had for the last 8 decades. Triple D, you need to come check this place out! read more

Worth the short drive off I-40! This historic place is serving up the same old school bbq sauce, sides, and amazing chicken just as the original owner, BW, served up from 1953 until 1989! The outside of the building brings on instant nostalgia from when I would ride backroads with my grandparents. Interior has not changed beyond the additional media outlets showing love. Walk up counter service which works well for the space. I had a 1/2 chicken "hot" which was incredible especially with the spicy vinegar slaw and beans on the side. The "hot" sauce they pour over the bird is amazing and worth trying for those of you who believe pork is the only option for true Carolina style Que! Do yourself a favor and go check these nice folks on who are totally committed to keeping BW's vision and passion for food done in rural NC! read more

Keaton's dining room is OPEN! Dined in today and found the fried chicken(dipped in Keaton's secret recipe bbq sauce) just as tasty and moist as always. Keaton's turns 70 years old this year! What an accomplishment - and it's still in the same family. Impressive. Let's keep Keaton's going for their next generation and ours. Please make the trip to visit this delicious out-of-the-way gem. You won't be sorry. read more

Legendary chicken in a sauce that will knock your socks off, especially when piping hot. Plus, the potato salad is mild, yet delicious. Our favorite place for decades. read more

You really have to be looking for this place to find it - but if you find it, and it is open, you will have found some of the best and most innovative BBQ chicken in the South. The chicken is pan fried, then it is dipped in a spicy, delicious BBQ sauce - and it is only dipped, not cooked, in the sauce. Only Ted's Kickin' Chicken in Winston Salem, and Barbecue King in Charlotte use this approach to bbq chicken - neither with quite the same success. They have some nice sides, but frankly, you will only remember the chicken. This is good fowl. I think the younger generation has become involved, so there is some more structure, but I would call - foodie lesson, learned. read more

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What can I say about this place that has not already been said? It is delicious food! I would suggest you call before coming all the way out here as the website may say open, but sometimes they are not!!! Learned that the hard way several times. I grew up eating Keaton's...my Dad would bring it home after he worked a shift at the plant. Still the best after all these years!! Go get you a plate and try it for yourself. You will not be disappointed. They are open during this time. Call to place your order. Come on by and pick it up!! read more

Great food, nice portions. Only open certain hours. Call before you drive from other town. Rustic ambiance.

Spicy is the way to go. Slaw amassing Mac and cheese amazing pretty much everything on the menu. For a hole in the wall that you never knew was there it's amazing. read more

So a good friend and myself have been working on over a two year deal to eat at Keaton's.With his work it it was when we could get there.Two years back he took a day a vacation and we made our way there and once in the parking lot and low and behold was a sign.Sorry we're Closed due to refrigerator is broke..So here we are two years later and just hoping Keaton's is open.I told my buddy earlier that just maybe we should pick up a bucket of chicken just in cased their closed and eat in the parking lot.As we arrived just a few cars in the parking lot.In the door you place the order at the counter and pay.Take your stub to your table and pick it up when the call your #.Keaton's bird is fried then dipped in their BBQ sauce.Which appear's to be a secret.I chose their spicy.My friend got their regular.He got a quarter white meat with some great looking Mac& Cheese and baked beans.I got the half and potato salad.Keaton's is in an old block building and just walking in in was a tad bit warm but the dining area was cooler.Our yard bird did not take long to come out.Paper plates and plastic fork's was our utensils.Potato salad was good just needed a hint of salt and pepper.Out chicken was hot which is a good thing.Mine had the spicy sauce and had a bit of bite.I really liked it.Their menu showed three desserts.I wanted their banana pudding.But we were informed No desserts.Overall our food and experience was a good visit.I hope maybe my wife might accompany me back there.Since I drove my friend wanted to pay for our lunch.Had I been by self I probably would had eaten a whole chicken.This fall I see another Keaton's BBQ chicken in my future. read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Half of spicy chicken with a side of homemade potato salad. - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

Heard a lot of great things about Keaton's and I have had it bookmarked for a long time now. Today I made the trek (it is a trek, nothing around here) to the countryside for some of Keaton's dipped chicken. Excitement gave way to disappointment though after the first bite into a chewy over cooked chicken half. It was so dry on the edges that is was like shoving a handful of toothpicks in your mouth. The dark meat was more palatable and the sauce (I requested hot) was very flavorful but not very hot. Sides were just okay. The half chicken was 8.99 and only includes a hamburger bun? Sides are sold separately so my bill was 15 bucks. I am glad to check this one off my list but won't be returning. Food: 2 Sporks Service: 4 Sporks Atmosphere: 3 Sporks Sweet Tea: 3 Sporks Value: 2 Sporks read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Half chicken with white slaw and potato salad. - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

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Great place for lunch. The food is home cooked they take much pride in what they serve. The place is very clean the lady that will take your order is one of the owners A very pleasant lady. Will put a smile on your face. Do not forget there is a two beer limit That is in stone. Save room for the cobbler. Go check it out you'll be glad you did. Stay safe folks read more

Bring Cash and enjoy the spicy chicken. It's old school and delicious with coleslaw that's not to vinegary with a little kick. read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Spicy Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Slaw - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

As of May 2021, it is take out only. There is a red shelter put up by the side door where all transactions happen. There are 2 picnic tables for anyone that just has to eat there. The chicken is still the best BBQ chicken around and I was quite happy that the business survived the 2020 Pandemic and shut downs. BBQ Chicken read more

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The food is GREAT and customer service is awesome!! We will definitely go back!!! You have to try their Mac and cheese but you have to get there early as they alway run out!! read more

Keaton's Chicken is no longer the delicious recipe that was used in the 70's & 80's. Ate there last night and the sauce was sweet and NOT like it used to be. My husband and I were totally disappointed, especially since it was $35 for 2. Will not be going back! read more

Best chicken I ever tasted. I love the green beans and the people there have always been as sweet as sugar to me. One of my favorite places in the world to go eat. read more

I was very pleased with my first visit to Keaton's. It is off the beaten path but not hard to find. The interior could use some updating but the food is well worth the trip. The sweet tea is excellent and they serve it in a pitcher so you do not have to go up for refills. This was helpful because you get very messy from the chicken. I had the leg and thigh dipped in the mild sauce. It was delicious. The chicken was moist and the sauce gave it a really good flavor. I tried the red slaw and the potato salad as my sides. I loved the slaw but was not a huge fan of the potato salad. If you prefer more mashed, savory potato salad you would like it. I tried my husband's white slaw and mac and cheese. They were both pretty good but I think the best side was the red slaw. I would definitely eat here again. read more

Keaton's Barbecue - How the drinks are served - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

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OMG! This is hands down the best pan fried chicken I've ever had! This place is way off the beaten path in the middle of no where. The restaurant itself is a hole in the wall sitting on the side of a two lane road out in the sticks. The menu is small but the chicken is awesome. The chicken is on the bone and pan fried then dipped in either their own medium or hot sauce. Definitely go with the HOT SAUCE. I got the half chicken (breast, thigh, wing, and leg), a side of white coleslaw, and the mac and cheese. The mac and cheese and coleslaw were good but the winner is the chicken. Total cost for half chicken, two sides, and a sweet tea was about $10.70. I personally can't stress how good the pan fried chicken is, if you're a fan of BBQ chicken on the bone you will love this place. They also sell domestic bottled beer (limit 2) for $2 each and they have limited operating hours. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed! read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

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Hit Keaton's again the other day and it was as spectacular as usual. This little hole in the wall is so out of the way that it's never really crowded, despite the attention and praise heaped on it by national publication like the Road Food folks who rate it one of the top of places to eat before you die. Although it's named Keaton's BBQ I've never been on a day when they've had BBQ. But no worries, their BBQ chicken is the best that I've ever had, although it's not what you would really consider traditional BBQ chicken. Instead of being grilled and slathered in some sweet syrupy goo, their chicken in deep fried then plunged into a boiling pot of their homemade hot or mild sauce. Their sauce is a thin vinegar based sauce similar to Eastern NC BBQ style sauce, but with a lot more spices, a little heat and touch of sweet.You can get quarter dark or white, half and whole chickens. It's come with a white hamburger bun wrapped in wax paper to sop up the juices and sauce. Sides are extra. The sides can be kind of hit or miss. The mac & cheese is really good, but they often run out very early. The baked beans are probably canned that have been doctored. I'm not a slaw person at all, but I always get a side of their red slaw because it's always crisp, cool and tossed in that wonderful sauce. The fries are just generic frozen fries, but dipped in a side of hot sauce who really cares? Traffic here seems to have really dropped off the last couple years and hours are a lot more limited. Best to call ahead and check since this a true destination joint with no alternatives nearby if they are closed. You should add this to your list of places to get to very soon as I fear they may not be around much longer. read more

Best chicken in the world!!! There is nothing like the taste of Keaton's chicken. I was introduced to it in the 80's when Mr. Keaton was still alive. I'm still going back! read more

This was our second visit to Keaton's and we will keep coming back when we have the chance. I kind of wish they were located more in the Eastern NC barbecue zone. They were not busy when we arrived just after opening time on a Friday. Our chicken orders were fresh and hot and inexpensive. We both went for the spicy (versus mild). The chicken is peppery and tangy but not too hot at all. The red slaw is tangy and sweet, the white is creamy with a little sweet pickle blended in. The potato salad is a mayo style, not sweet and a little dry. The beans look like they are out of the can, but have been seasoned and are pretty good. But again, the chicken is wonderful and worth the trip. read more

The chicken is fantastic, particularly the dark meat. I like it spicy or mild. The spicy isn't really spicy to me, but the flavor is different to the mild version. I normally don't like red slaw, but theirs is very good. The chicken is barbecued, then fried, then dipped in sauce. That's a little bit like Korean fried chicken. I was disappointed they didn't have mac and cheese or collard greens when we visited. It ended up being all about the chicken. The service was great. Keaton's was empty when I got there. I heard their lack of A/C has been driving customers away. read more

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Keaton's chicken is the best. Wouldn't say it's unknown - it's been written up and featured - but it's definitely not near ANYTHING. In other words, it's in the middle of nowhere. But seriously, folks, if you find yourself within 30 miles of this place, make your way there for the amazing chicken. The chicken is inexplicably good. And the prices are a throwback to older times. 4.5 stars (-.5 stars because the hours are a little kooky and it's hard enough to find this place.) read more

Keaton's Barbecue - Chicken and slaw, as good as it can be. - Barbeque Near Me - Cleveland, North Carolina

My husband and i just ate at keaton's bbq . We heard good things about it so we were looking forward to trying it. All I can say is WHAT A GREAT DISAPOINTMENT. First of all they didn't have any bbq at all. The prices were extremely high. One chicken breast was $5.18. Vegetables were not homemade and mediocre. Place was dirty and smelly. Save your money and spend it somewhere else. read more

This area is fortunate to have most of the dipped chicken restaurants available close by. Keaton's is one of the oldest and best. Get a 1/2 with bread and extra spicy sauce and you'll be happy. read more

Tried and true since the 70s through several family members. A favorite local southern BBQ chicken shack. Call before you plan to go to ensure there is enough & the place is open. read more

Based upon an article I drove an hour to get to Kenton's. I heard it had fantastic fried chicken made according to a secret recipe and was renowned for its culinary and cultural authenticity. It was in the middle of nowhere and I thought I was lost until I saw a very cool 1950ish sign at the end of the country road. And then I found the shack and I was ready for heaven or at least heavenly food. By the appearance of the shack, its rural location, I wasn't disappointed when I walked in. As country and old fashioned as I could hope. Signs warning against gambling or possession of guns gave me a hopeful feeling and then the picture of the Country founder posing with a cigarette dangling from his mouth convinced me I was on for a great meal. But that was before the sign warning against taking photos of employees, the surly woman whom I told is a descendant of the founder, the green beans and baked beans out of the can, and the bread which was a Hostess style hamburger roll rather than a roll or homemade bread. And with only a couple things on the menu despite us arriving at opening they were out of bbq and plain cole slaw. And in the end the chicken wasn't crispy fried but rather just drenched in sauce. So disappointed! read more

I could write a long paragraph describing how great the food is but I won't waste your time. GO GO GO!!! Simply God's favorite chicken restaurant! Ha! The chicken is spicy, moist, and cooked to perfection. My favorite side is the spicy slaw. The MAC and cheese is just as good! ITS WORTH THE DRIVE! P.S. get there super early, like as in 15 minutes before opening! They run out! read more

Another one of the few places that I rate 5 stars but Keaton's Barbecue definitely deserves it! Their chicken is so good! I always get a half chicken hot with spicy vinegar slaw and baked beans. The chicken is so tender and juicy and the sauce is just delicious! Finger sucking good! They have bottled it and sell it right there in the restaurant! The spicy vinegar slaw is crunchy and tangy with just a bit of heat but a little sweetness, too. The baked beans are pretty straightforward but they're still very good. Chicken comes with a hamburger bun to eat as bread, to make a sandwich or like I do, to mop up all that delicious sauce left in the plate after the chicken is gone. Sweet Tea is pretty good. Cherry Yum Yum is delicious. This is a typical BBQ joint, nothing fancy! Order at counter, get your number ticket, grab a table and wait for your number to be called. Food is served on foam plates wrapped in wax paper. You get paper towels and plastic utensils but you can skip both, this chicken is made to be eaten with your hands and the sauce is so good you won't let a drop go to waste by wiping it on a paper towel. Yes, you will end up with sauce all over your face but you will not care and you shouldn't because nobody's looking at you. They're all too busy with their own chicken! I don't think it's expensive but some do...$8.99 for half chicken and sides average about $1.50 each. Hey, I try to hit this place 3 or 4 times a year and I've never left disappointed. read more

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