Sweet Lew's had been bookmarked on my Yelp list for a return visit after I saw it featured during Top Chef's time in Charlotte. I'd eaten here before and had good food memories, so after returning from Memphis with barbecue still on my mind, it seemed like the perfect time to go back. First, know what you're walking into--in the best possible way. Sweet Lew's is rustic, casual and charming. This is not fancy barbecue. They have their own private parking lot, which is a huge plus, but it's gravel. Ladies, leave the high heels at home unless you want to risk an ankle before you even get to the brisket! There's a screened-in porch/patio dining area and a small air-conditioned dining room inside, where you'll also find the restrooms. And when I say small, I mean small. It adds to the neighborhood barbecue-joint charm, but I can easily imagine this place getting packed during peak hours and weekends. I apparently hit the sweet spot because it wasn't crowded during my visit. The setup is equally casual. You line up, order and pay at the counter, grab your sauces and utensils, find a table and settle in. There's no wait staff. If you want a beverage, you'll head to the bar area and order that separately. Everyone I encountered was friendly, and service moved quickly. My usual order is the one-meat/two-side combo, which is $17 and includes hush puppies. This time I ventured away from the pork shoulder and ordered brisket with barbecue beans and potato salad. I also added the boiled potatoes as an extra side and a sausage link because I wanted to sample more of the menu. Unfortunately, the brisket didn't hit the same way the pork shoulder did on my previous visit. It was heavily peppered, not particularly moist, and had a thick fatty layer that peeled away from the meat. I was also missing that flavorful exterior bark I look forward to with brisket. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't memorable. I sampled several sauces trying to find the right match. The mustard-based sauce was far too mustard-forward for my taste, and one of the sweeter sauces had a thick texture I didn't care for. The spicy barbecue sauce remains the winner for me. I'd enjoyed it previously with the pork shoulder, and it was the one I kept coming back to. The boiled potatoes looked delicious on the line but were underwhelming once I tasted them. They'll need a little doctoring up at home. The sausage took a few extra minutes, which I didn't mind since it came out fresh. Then came my biggest surprise: the bill was almost $35. Once I looked at the menu again, the math made sense. The combo was $17, but an additional side is $5 and the sausage link is $10. Lesson learned! The combo plates are clearly the better value rather than building your meal à la carte. I still like Sweet Lew's. My first meal here was stronger than this one, and next time I'll go straight back to the pork shoulder, spicy barbecue sauce and a combo plate. One disappointing brisket isn't enough to erase those good food memories. If you're around Belmont just outside Uptown and craving some barbecue, head over to Sweet Lew's. Wear sensible shoes, grab a combo, find your favorite sauce and enjoy the rustic charm. Life is too short not to sleep well, travel well or eat well. So get out there and find your next meal. read more

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I was in need of some comfort food today and, after seeing all the high reviews for Sweet Lew's, decided to give it a try. The restaurant was easy to find, and there was plenty of parking. The sign on the front door saying "Open 11 till we run out" immediately made me optimistic. Maybe showing up around 3:15 on a Wednesday isn't the ideal time to experience this place, but based on all the positive reviews, I still feel like my experience is worth sharing. When I walked in, I actually really liked the atmosphere. The decor and overall aesthetic were exactly what I like to see in a small, local barbecue restaurant. Unfortunately, that was probably the highlight of the customer-service side of my visit. There were no other dining customers that I could see, aside from three people who appeared to be having a meeting. Several employees were around, but nobody greeted me when I came in. I followed the signs directing customers toward the ordering area. The person working the register wasn't particularly friendly, and the interaction felt more like I was interrupting something than being welcomed into a restaurant. I ordered a pulled pork plate, but I was having trouble seeing what sides were available. When I asked, I was basically told "up there" while she pointed toward a sign. I chose mac and cheese and fries and was told the fries would take about five minutes. That was pretty much the extent of the instructions. Nobody explained where to wait, whether the food would be brought out, or where I should sit. I added a sweet tea, and the total came to a little over $28 for one person. The payment screen immediately presented tip options, with 20% being the lowest suggested amount. I still tipped, but considering this is essentially counter service where I picked up my own meal and later cleared my own table, that felt excessive. Since it was a beautiful day, I went outside and took the only two-person spot I could find at the bar. The overall feeling I got was that they really weren't expecting anyone to show up at that time and weren't especially happy that someone had. The bartender appeared to be training based on the conversations I overheard, and for quite a while nobody said anything to me. Eventually, he did come over and ask how everything was, which I appreciated. As for the food, the pulled pork itself was really good. That was easily the best part of the meal. I was a little surprised by the preparation. The pork was pulled from what appeared to be a bag inside a warmer, weighed, sauced and chopped before being served. That doesn't necessarily mean anything was wrong with it--the pork still tasted very good--but it wasn't quite what I expected after seeing the reviews and pricing. The sauce selection was also a little confusing. There were several bottles for different meats and styles, but the labeling wasn't especially clear. One bottle labeled simply "Sweet Lew's Sauce" tasted to me very similar to a thin, vinegar-heavy hot sauce. The fries were disappointing. They were basic crinkle-cut fries that tasted like standard frozen fries. They weren't terrible, but they weren't crispy either--just somewhere in the middle and fairly bland. The mac and cheese was the biggest disappointment. It looked baked, but the noodles tasted dry and old, and the cheese on top had a dried-out texture. I tried to eat it, but eventually gave up because I just didn't enjoy it. When I finished, I carried my tray and trash to the trash can and cleaned up after myself. I passed employees on the way out, but nobody asked how the meal was, thanked me for coming in, said goodbye, or acknowledged me leaving. Overall, the pulled pork was genuinely good, but the rest of the experience didn't come close to matching the reputation or the price. Spending more than $28 for one person on counter-service barbecue, while receiving very little hospitality and having two disappointing sides, just wasn't worth it to me. I really enjoy supporting local restaurants, especially local barbecue joints, and I wanted to like Sweet Lew's. Unfortunately, based on this visit, I don't see myself going back. read more

This was one of the places we wanted to try thanks to Top Chef Carolinas. So we learned that pork was their thing here. We had high expectations; after all, they were on Top Chef, but definitely not unrealistic, we are from Texas. Here's the thing, I'm not a big meat person. I like tofu, but also turkey, but I'm gonna try all of it. So we got way too much food to actually finish, but we were going to sample some chicken (turkey was unavailable), brisket, and pork. The sides were mac and cheese, a tomato based coleslaw, and hush puppies. So let's start with who, or what, is safe (nod to Top Chef)- the hush puppies and the coleslaw. The hush puppies were crispy and soft and full of flavor. They were tiny little pops that I could eat so day. Same with the coleslaw. I do not care for coleslaw, but this magic was insane. It made every bite taste so much better. The mac and cheese was also delicious. It was al dente and creamy and rich with flavor. I think most bbq places do mac and cheese a disservice, but not here. So that's it! If you're vegetarian and not vegan and love sides. This is your place. What's on the chopping block? The meats. Maybe it was a bad day because most reviews are great, but that was not my experience. The chicken was beyond overdone. It was practically on the verge of being inedible. The brisket was just as bad. It was so inconsistent. Some was moist, but we were served mostly a brick. Literally a hard chunk that couldn't be penetrated. The pork was good. It was probably the only thing that didn't need to be drowned in sauce. That's my other issue. Why do all the places offer so many sauces?? It's not Taco Bell or McDonald's. What are you trying to hide? Unfortunately, the delicious sides don't make up for the fact that we spent a lot for meats and the majority ended up trashed. read more

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The service was somewhat prompt, we were greeted and told they'd be with us shortly. No turkey, so we opted for pork, chicken, and brisket. Unfortunately, it looked better than it tasted. The food was mostly dry and the star of the show was the fritters, distant second was the pork. The meats were also bland and needed the help from the sauces. We've been but not sure we'd go back. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Came to Sweet Lew's after seeing it on Top Chef! The three of us visited for the first time. Restaurant was nice casual vibe with both indoor/outdoor seating. Serving sizes were generous. Loved the ribs, collards, hush puppies, and Mac & cheese. Great flavor and good Southern recipes. Sweet Lew's is definitely worth a visit when you're in Charlotte! read more

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Aesthetic: Southern traditional barbecue restaurant with delicious plates and sandwiches at a reasonable price What to try: Brisket or Pork sammies and a side of boiled peanuts Service: Attentive Parking: There is some parking in the back Rating: 4/5, they are our neighbors, the food is delicious, and I love that they offer a side of boiled peanuts with their meals read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Our spread - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The food was fabulous. Melty, tasty brisket. Sausage was excellent. Hush puppies best I've ever had. Great service!

First time there, my son and I had the brisket sandwich, both sandwiches had (and I'm not exaggerating) 90% fat on it. And I really don't mind the fat, actually like it but that, for the money was awful. I had beans as a side, and had to put BBQ sauce on then because they had no seasoning. I wish I would have sent our sandwiches back, but we were not footing the bill and did not want to embarrass anyone. Just the fact that they served that knowing it was a "fat: sandwich makes say I won't go back. read more

The rating is more of a 3.5 as my experience wasn't bad, but it could have been better. The atmosphere feels as if it was a family establishment which made me have high hopes on how the food was going to be. The service wasn't terrible as there was nothing really to give an opinion on. The staff felt nonchalant, but man do they work fast! I was able to order and receive my food in less than 10 minutes. I ordered the 2 meat plate with brisket and ribs to get an experience of the place which gave me 2 sides, so of course I'm going to try the mac n' cheese and their bbq potatoes sounded interesting. The meat overall wasn't bad, but I had different expectations. The brisket was all fat, with a sliver of meat, but the ribs were fantastic, i just wish it was mover flavorful with one having to drown it in its bbq sauce. The mac n' cheese was bland, which was unfortunate because I saw reviews saying it was delicious. The potatoes just tasted as if they were soaking in italian dressing overnight. I'm glad they gave me hushpuppies because those were the saving grace side dish. I would try here again, but I'd be skeptical on what I order next. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - 2 Meat Plate w/ Ribs and Brisket; Mac n' Cheese and Bbq Potatoes. - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This is exactly what I have in mind when I want BBQ. I love the approachable service style, making just a little bit of small talk with the friendly service in the food line, settling the bill and being free to enjoy my meal and the porch at my leisure. I love the pulled pork sandwich, collard greens, and a sweet tea lemonade. There's a few different sauces to try. Feels like you're at the neighbors house for a BBQ...but with A/C! The ambiance is relaxed if you didn't catch that. read more

Welcoming friendly atmosphere. Quirky authentic decor. Food is fire -- the cook left no crumbs (and neither did we). The lady serving behind the counter was sweet and adorable made us feel right at home. This BBQ got it right--we got the best flounder on the planet, barbecue ribs (of course) and yummy hush puppies. Cute neighborhood. We will be back! read more

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This was my first time trying this restaurant, and I can honestly say it's a true hidden gem. From the moment the food came out, I could tell I was in for a good experience. The brisket was incredibly tender and juicy -- perfectly cooked with great flavor in every bite. You can really taste the care that goes into the preparation. The portions are also very generous, especially for the price, which is something I always appreciate. I love that they give complimentary hush puppies -- that small touch really makes a difference and adds to the overall Southern BBQ experience. The macaroni and cheese was creamy and flavorful, not dry at all, and the collard greens were absolutely amazing -- seasoned perfectly and full of flavor. Definitely some of the best sides I've had in a while. The white sauce and the sweet heat BBQ sauce were both standouts. The white sauce added a tangy kick, while the sweet heat had the perfect balance of sweetness with just enough spice to keep it interesting. Together, they really elevated the meal. Mac's Speed Shop is normally my go-to spot when I'm craving BBQ, but I decided to try something different this time -- and I'm so glad I did. This place truly exceeded my expectations. Between the quality of the food, the portion sizes, and the overall flavor, I will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend giving this place a try if you're looking for delicious, well-seasoned BBQ. read more

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The meats at this place are excellent. The pork ribs are incredibly tender, juicy, and have excellent flavor and seasoning. The brisket is moist with perfect bark. My only complaint here is that the sauces are not very good. That's just my opinion. I know this is down to taste, but I just wish they had a more traditional southern style sweet bbq sauce that I could choose. Instead they have more Carolina style sauces, which are good for what they are, but just tend to be more liquidy and vinegary. Sides are also very good. Overall, this is a very good bbq place. read more

I had a taste for some Barbque a nd Sweet Lews was the closest, the sweet young lady helped me order and get my food prepared fresh. I had the fried fish which was sooo good and hot and my son had brisket n he ate it so fast, I imagined it was good and we defiently will be back. The potatoe salad was the bomb as well. read more

It's been way too long since my last visit to Sweet Lew's. I was Uptown so I went by to get some Brunswick Stew to go. WOW, just so good, I don't know how it can be beat. So rich, fresh and flavorful and the ingredients are just the right mix for the perfect taste. I had forgotten just how good it was, just top tier good! It's $15 for a 32 ounce container, more than enough for a meal for most people. It was so nice, I ordered it twice! The staff here is real friendly and nice too, that's always a plus! read more

Friendly service and timely. Appreciate the packaging of the to-go food. The bbq itself was quite dry and could use more flavor. The vibes seem good if one were to eat inside. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Pork Sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Sweet Lews's needs more love! I'm amazed this place does not come up more on lists and recs for Charlotte. On a Reddit thread I saw someone comment on how good their sides are, so I really wanted to give it a shot. We ordered a 3 meat plate (ribs, NC style pork, and brisket) with one extra side. It was an amazing mix to try for two people. Lew's is making everything from scratch and it really shows. This is what that Reddit guy was talking about!!! The baked beans, potato salad, Cole slaw, pickles, and collards were all really really good. The barbecue was solid. I really liked the ribs the most, they were perfect. Service is super friendly and the space is very cute. Would be great for a date night out or for family dinner. It's a lovely clean establishment with really nice people. I would definitely come back and recommend it to anyone! read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The staff was great and its cute bbq spot. The food was fresh, well seasoned, and hot. The ribs were super tender. You get a lot of food so I recommend getting different meats and sides to share if going with a group. Will definitely go back when in town again. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Potato Salad Brisket Baked Beans Pork Ribs Hush puppies - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Had a 10/10 experience here today. I love bbq chicken but it can either be cold or dry and this was neither! It was fresh and the rub on it was really good. The collards had a good balance of vinegar to sweet. They make their own boiled peanuts and you can tell by the taste of them. The hush puppies are great. The tea is brewed strong enough. I loved everything I had. The service was also great. The lady who took our order was nice. The owner came by to check up on us and we yapped at him for a bit. I'd absolutely come back again sometime. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Half Chicken Combo Plate Collard Greens Boiled Peanuts - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This was really like a 2.8 star rating. We came in on a Sunday morning in December right when they opened and we were their first and only customers. I've been to all of the Top 50 bbq joints in Texas and I was excited to try some Carolina pork. According to multiple websites, Sweet Lew's was one of the highest rated in Charlotte. Good news first. The mac and cheese was absolutely phenomenal. Perfect mix of creamy and cheesy and the pasta was not overcooked. The ribs were actually pretty good too. They were dry rubbed and had a good tug to it. They ate like some of the best jerky you ever had which I realize sounds like a bad thing, but I really enjoyed the texture on them. Also don't skip the hush puppies, some of the best I ever had. However when I noticed that they held all their meat in a hot box and all the meat was kept in plastic ziploc bags, my heart sank. My chopped pork had such a chemical flavor to it. It was super dry and I couldn't taste any smoke at all. I was embarrassed for them when I saw that's how they held their meat. The cauliflower casserole, which was on special, should just be left off their menu. The cauliflower was harder than al dente and it was sitting in some soupy sauce, had no flavor, I didn't get it at all. The red slaw was fine, nothing to write home about. The thing that sent me over the edge though was the sauces in the squeeze bottles on the table. They were sour and not in a good way. They were off. They turned. They were spoiled and expired. The vinegar sauce tasted fermented like kombucha and the Alabama sauce had to be spat out. What a disappointment. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - 1 lb. Pork Ribs Mac and Cheese were great as were the hush puppies, that's about it - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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On my second trip to Charlotte I convinced my coworker to join me for some authentic NC BBQ. This joint is a great find. Pulled pork- really really tasty. Even better with their house bbq sauce. Brisket- Good taste, but texture was slightly soggy. Ribs- Good. Nice bark. Sides- really really good especially the mac and cheese. Other positives: -Best peach cobbler id ever eaten hands down. -Super clean restaurant. Spotless bathrooms. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Sampler - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Beef Ribs (5/5): Big, meaty, and delicious. The bark may have been a tad over seasoned, but otherwise no complaints. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Beef Ribs, BBQ Hash, and Hush Puppies - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This is a sweet neighborhood joint to enjoy BBQ. It's casual, come as you are with lots of sides choices for your preferred BBQ protein. Dine in or out and grab a cold one from the fridge. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Beef ribs are the best thing on the menu but only available Fri sat sun Ordered the brisket sandwich. The brisket looked great but is dry as sawdust. And very chewy....not cool Stick to the beef ribs! read more

5 STARS HANDS DOWN!! I visited this place daily during my trip to Charlotte. The customer service is impeccable from everyone, I met the owner too and he was so kind! I dined in and also did to-go orders and both experiences were great. They have so many amazing options to choose from!! One of my trips there I got Italian style burnt ends, brisket and rib tips. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection my goodness!!! I took some food back home to Boston and my mother couldn't stop raving about it! You must check this place out!! read more

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Service was friendly. Cool ambiance with a good amount of indoor/outdoor seating. The actual bbq? Was ok. I was looking for a place that was better than Noble, which I would give 4 stars. Best thing I had here was the Mac and Cheese. This place isn't bad at all, just not some of the best bbq in Charlotte for sure IMO read more

For some Real North Carolina BBQ,Lews is the place. Authentic BBQ served in a casual setting. Indoor and outdoor seating available. You place your order and your meal is prepared while you wait. We tried the Sweet Lew Sampler which came with generous portions of brisket (too dry) ,pork and ribs. Each platter came with 2 sides..we chose brisket baked beans(delicious) and potato salad. Also their sweet onion hush puppies are fantastic . They offer 4 sauces on each table to taste..Pork,Brisket,Rib and Chicken sauce. The rib sauce...not too sweet but tangy was my favorite. Soft drinks,beer and ciders are available. They stay open until their sign says "No Meat" so get there early on weekends! read more

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I have been in Charlotte all my life and today right before the 4th of July, I was feeling festive, and hungry for a pulled pork sandwich with slaw and I ordered theirs for $9. & picked it up in 15 minutes and the bag was full of sauce options, pickles, etc. Excellent! read more

I was disappointed with the service during my visit. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, my takeout order took an unusually long time to prepare. Additionally, I did not receive my drink until after I had already finished my meal, which further impacted the overall experience. read more

My order was the brisket sandwich, red slaw & Mac. The brisket was dried out, there were many parts of hard meat & very spicy from the ovepepper. The Mac was nothing more than over-cooked noodles and lots of pepper. Surprisingly the lemonade was very good. First time here, but I'll stick to Smoke Pit read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Where do I begin? This place was AWESOME! As soon as you walk in, the staff was so friendly and patient. The vibe was relaxed and the walls filled with various decorations. The food was really really good. I have high expectations for BBQ and this met them! The pork was tender and perfectly cooked, their sauce is eastern NC style vinegar based and was really great! The mac and cheese was perfectly cooked and the BBQ hash was new for me, but a huge hit! It's worth it to go try this place! read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - NC Style Pork Shoulder Combo Plate with Mac and Cheese and BBQ Quart of Hash and Rice. - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Flew in for the Rams v. Panthers game. Food is top-knotch, some of the best BBQ I've had in a long time. I ordered the 3 meat special (ribs, brisket, & fish) with beans and mac side. My cousin ordered the 2 meat with beans and greens. Everything was spot on. This will be my go-to spot whenever i'm in town. read more

When I say run, I mean it. If they are out for the day it's too late and you'll have to try again next time. Today I got one of the specials, friend fish sandwich for $7 - lightly fried on a hamburger bun with some of the most delicious tartar sauce I've ever had. Honestly I was thinking that the fish wasn't friend enough but I was corrected immediately with the first bite I took. You still could taste and see how flakey the fish is even after being fried. I went pretty standard with a side of French fries and I'm very pleased with the choice. They also have some of the best lemonade I've had in years. The staff was very friendly and made me feel like a friend. I visited on a Friday afternoon (3pm) and didn't have to wait long for my order at all. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Fried Fish sandwich - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Sweet Lew's has provided moist, tender, flavorful smoked pork, chicken, turkey, and beef since the day they opened. Service has always been fast and friendly. Lew's quality hasn't wavered, and his servers are always top-notch. read more

Great chicken sauce, over my 1/2 chicken with a little pop of vinegar. Never disappoints, which in the BBQ game is tough. Mac and cheese and red slaw are must haves. Cool vibes, good Q and management. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Our family came here for my husbands birthday & the food was out of this world. The flounder is the best flounder I have had in quite some time. The brisket was cooked to perfection & then dam* collards are to die for. The staff was very friendly and the environment was so fun and family friendly Will definitely be back read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

A solid barbecue place to try if you're in the area. Sweet Lew's is your standard barbecue joint with the normal metal siding walls, wooden chairs, etc. The food itself is good, with freshly chopped (as in I saw them do it right after I ordered) and well-cooked barbecue that's not been overcooked to the point of being gray. Solid as it is, with good sides and coleslaw to boot, Sweet Lew's isn't doing anything to really take their food to the next level. For the price, though, I'm not going to complain; you won't find much cheaper barbecue in Charlotte, certainly not any this good. read more

Used door dash. The pulled pork & brisket were excellent. Was ready within a few mins and was delivered quickly. Highly recommend.

First off this place is a gem! I was getting a piercing at sadu and wanted some bbq On my way! Home. I am sooooo happy I found them. I got the byop with brisket, mac n cheese, collards, and hush puppies! I called in and when I arrived (about a 6 min drive) my food was ready hot and FRESH! Everything was so good. The mac n cheese was homemade, baked too like my family makes it! The greens were so good and had a nice texture to them they weren't overcooked! The hush puppies were sweet and thick! But the brisket!!!! Omg melt in your mouth! Mouthwatering! I loved everything about this meal! I forgot to mention that when I walked in I was greeted with a warm welcome they seemed to be a family and I love that feel cause that's how you know the food is going to be good! They will definitely be on my rotation and the inside is great definitely gives that family bbq feel! I will be eating inside next time read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Collard Greens Mac and Cheese brisket hush puppies - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This was a great place to eat. We came in from Minnesota and wanted to try some barbeque. The whole family enjoyed it. We got the sampler which had chopped pork, a rib and two nice brisket sections. All the food was tender and delicious. Served on a nice metal tray with paper lining. Come check the place out for some great bbq at a good price. Free parking, indoor and outdoor seating. read more

Sweet Lew’s BBQ - Restaurant exterior from parking lot! - Barbeque Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina