This is good barbecue and a fun place but pricey. I think this is the most I've spent for counter service barbecue ever. Having said that the brisket is very good it's tender and flavorful and I enjoyed it very much. I got fried okra as a side and it was solid as well. The sauce is here are typical Carolina and therefore vinegar based. Those are usually not my favorite, but these were pretty good. My only complaint would be that they are a little thin, but it is vinegar based and that's kind of given. The meat stands on its own though and does not need the sauce. The sauce does not distract however and are enjoyable. read more

This restaurant is colorful and bright. Staff are friendly, and the prices are affordable. I did not enjoy the carrot cake, ribs, and fries. I will return again to try a different dish. The location is central to many local shops, restaurants, and a movie theater in North Hills. The restaurant was crowded, and there's a small bar section inside of the restaurant. read more

C Tier. There's equal good and equal bad here. This place operates like any other BBQ joint. However, there were a few things that really rubbed me the wrong way: 1. They keep their cooked meat in a meat warmer behind the front desk. They pulled my chicken out of a pan and I could see all the juices that the chicken was sitting in for who knows how long. It was a tad off-putting to see this. 2. The main platter comes with two regular sides. You would think fries are a regular side? Nope. They're a premium side, and all the regular sides are cheap vegetable sides. Not appealing. It seems odd to lock fries behind an upcharge on an already $20 plate. 3. They ask for a tip even though I had a less than 60 second interaction and had to bus my own table. Other than that, the food was good. The chicken got cold quick. But all the flavor was there. I'm doubtful to return. read more

Staff were very friendly and food was plated decently fast. We also ordered chili cheese fries and pork skin which are made upon ordering. The chili has a bit of a sweet taste to it so it was not one of our favorites. The ribs and burnt ends were a little bit dried to start the opening hour of the day, but overall everything else was good. read more

The BBQ Lab - Jalapeño & cheddar sausage, ribs, brisket platter with Deviled Egg Potato Salad and side of burnt ends - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

BBQ Lab is that spot. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender with the perfect smoky flavor that keeps you coming back for more. The mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy, the collard greens were seasoned to perfection, and the cornbread was soft with just the right amount of sweetness. The portions were generous and the food came out hot and fresh. The staff was friendly and welcoming which made the whole experience even better. If you are craving good barbecue with sides that taste homemade BBQ Lab is where you need to be. read more

The BBQ Lab - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We got brisket, turkey, and sausage - all of which were 10/10! We loved each BBQ sauce that they had! We also got the coleslaw (mediocre), potato and deviled egg salad (AMAZING - would recommend), and the mac n cheese (pretty sad and flavorless actually). The staff were notably warm and friendly! I appreciated them walking around and checking in with the customers! We also appreciated the outdoor seating! Would definitely return to try more meat selections! read more

The BBQ Lab - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I will preface the review by saying they sold out of most things right after we went, so what we got was most likely some of the last of those things that day. We went around 6:20 pm. The meal was just alright. The seasonings were great, but the meat was a little dry. There wasn't a huge amount of meat on the rib bones. The Mac and cheese didn't have any jalapeños, so I'm guessing it was flavoring, but I think that's what gave it the weird flavor that it had. The cornbread was good. It was sweet and a bit crumbly, so all in all pretty tasty. The fries were very good, but are $3 up charge with the 2 meat plate. Their seasoning was flavorful and the fries were crispy. The staff were super friendly and helped out whenever needed! Overall, this place was not bad, but I would recommend more as a lunch spot when the meats are fresh. read more

The BBQ Lab - French Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The BBQ lab is located in north hills with multiple other businesses so parking could be limited depending on the time of day. There are plenty of parking lots nearby and parking spaces in front of some of the businesses. There were several tables located inside of the restaurant. Once inside we could smell the food as we waited in line to place our order. One employee that I engaged with was very friendly during our interaction and was grateful that we dined at the business. Some food that is served is already cooked and some has to be prepared or heated. I got a rib plate with mac & cheese and baked beans with corn bread. My food was already cooked. The cornbread was ok. The other food wasn't bad but it tasted like it had been sitting while. We dined later in the evening probably about an hour or more before they closed. If I came back I would come earlier in the day and hope that the food tasted more fresh. read more

The BBQ Lab - Menu - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The hub and I have visited the BBQ Lab several times over the past few years. We have friends who like BBQ and usually go there with them. First of all, I enjoy the variety of meat options. I especially like the ribs and pulled pork. There is a decent amount of seating inside, but it would be nice to have more seating outside. And, the prices are a bit higher than other barbecue places in the area. That being said, we are always greeted by the manager (or owner, I'm not sure which), a tall man with a charming Southern drawl. I look forward to chatting with him when we visit. read more

Casual atmosphere with delicious Southern food. We went up to the counter to order from their menu of unlimited choices to pay and then we picked out a table. My smoked chicken salad sandwich took a few minutes to be served as they prepared it fresh and it was moist and tasty. Service was quick and friendly. We also ordered a brisket meal with 2 sides (baked beans and potato salad). read more

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Had a rather mediocre experience here a few weeks ago. We arrived at 12:30 to huge lines, a 20 minute wait just to place an order. They had only one guy doing chopping and meal prep, the other was bouncing back-and-forth between meal prep and cash register. Just two employees. This single file method just took forever. I got a pulled pork with 2 sides, which was a special for the day, $16.99. Normally would be $20.99. Pulled pork was good, cornbread was good. Sides were terrible. I got green beans which were supposedly mixed with bacon and ham. There was not a single piece of bacon or ham in the very small side of green beans which was soggy and tasteless. Coleslaw was stringy and tasteless. All in all a 3.5 rating. Given the high prices and the poor service, I will not return. read more

Love the location, love the food, staff was very nice. They run out of brisket fast (only 30 lbs /day). I would recommend and come back.

The BBQ was delicious! The prices were reasonable for how much food comes with the order. I got the brisket platter with a side of baked beans and deviled egg potato salad- which was the best potato salad I've ever had! The brisket was tender and juicy and the tables have a few different sauce options you can try. The line was a bit long but it moved quickly and you are served immediately. It would have been nice to have some music playing in the restaurant to make the atmosphere better. read more

The BBQ Lab - Inside - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Went here over the weekend it wasn't crowded at all. The burnt ends Mac and cheese was so good so was the brisket! I also had the baked beans, turkey and sausage link I follow their rec of getting the cheddar jalepano it was pretty good read more

Really good menu options and the food was of high quality. Will definitely be coming back soon. Nice location

Walked in fairly early on a Wednesday evening and were the only ones in the restaurant. We were greeted warmly by three guys behind the counter who were ready to take our orders. I ordered the pulled pork plate with collards and fries. I was given everything but my fries right at the cash register. There was lovely bluegrass music playing inside but since it was a beautiful day we chose to sit outside. Wish the music was piped out there, too, but it's probably against some North Hills regulation. Pork was super tender, flavorful and the portion size was generous. Several sauces were on the table but the pork almost didn't need any. Collards were delicious. There was a $3 up charge for fries as a side but it was plenty for two. The fries were the size and crispness of McDonald's fries (a compliment) but with better seasoning. Food was a tad salty but otherwise perfection. read more

The BBQ Lab - French Fries - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Was looking for BBQ before leaving NC. This was a great choice as we were not necessarily seeking a smokehouse dining experience. We ordered the Brisket meal for the Hubs and requested the Jalapeño Mac n Cheese and the Deviled Egg Potato Salad sides. I never had this kind of potato and Deviled Egg hybrid salad which was really tasty! The Brisket meal was also a great value with a good-sized portion of meat. At every table was an array of comdiment sauces to experiment with. Our fave was the Competion sauce which was just the right amount of sweetness. There's butter for your cornbread. Wish there was some honey for it as well. I ordered the Pork sandwich which was excellent. The bun was soft and I dipped in the sauces as well. They sell the sauces and other merch here. I bought a fun t-shirt for the Hubs. We'll be back again! read more

The BBQ Lab - Brisket with Jalapeño Mac n Cheese and Deviled Egg Potato Salad - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I braved parking on a Sunday afternoon at North Hills to try the BBQ Lab. You're hit with the aroma of smoking meat upon walking in, which can be mouthwatering or a little overwhelming. There's a good sized menu so it took a few minutes to decide what I wanted. I went traditional and chose a BBQ sandwich with coleslaw and sides of macaroni and cheese and hush puppies (very nutritious). The hush puppies were very good (you get 12) as they'd just been made. The macaroni was a bit disappointing as it tasted like it came pre-made. It isn't your homemade style either baked cheese, but has more of the cheese in a can consistency. Not my favorite. Also, sides did not come with the sandwich so you had to order them extra. The sandwich wasn't bad. You get a large portion of meat and that was flavorful, but I would have liked more sauce. You have to ask for and choose from three sauces they have. read more

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RAW CHICKEN Our kids chicken tenders were pink and raw. I wish took a pic before I took it back to the front counter. Brisket is dry and flavorless. Mac and cheese tastes like plastic cheese. Very overpriced. Don't waste your time, money, or calories. read more

Great eats! Great service! Nicely decorated and very comfortable Really nice place to eat! read more

Absolutely yes. We had a wonderful experience here when we popped in while visiting family in the area. They have a couple of location locally so it's a great spot to check off your list. They have a good amount of options for just about any kind of appetite. The menu is easy to read and they do also have daily specials on offer, so don't miss those. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. They were quick to ensure we had everything we needed and answered any questions we had. This specific location is in a shopping plaza area, so there is a bit more limited nearby parking if you want a close spot. They do have a very sizeable garage if you don't mind a few extra steps (and you might honestly appreciate the leg work after this amazing meal) ;) Overall: A+ Solid BBQ spot with great food and excellent service. read more

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The service was amazing! The workers were so welcoming and a great resource for suggestions. I ended up purchasing more than what I came for which is great! I tried the ribs, jalapeño Mac, greens and tea; everything was great! read more

Such amazing food. It's a delight for the tastebuds. The owner is friendly and kind. This is my go to place and has never disappointed.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it's a casual order at the counter (or table QR) BBQ spot. I thought it was a Solid BBQ sandwich + Hushpuppies. They have a great selection of sauces and give you a nice portion of BBQ on the sandwiches. Moms: They only have 2 high chairs if you're wondering like I often am as a mom of twins. When we got there only 1 was available but luckily since it is a quick in and out place we were able to get the other one not too long into our visit. read more

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The food was amazing. I loved the ribs and the brisket. The sauces was "chef's kiss". I loved the sauce so much that I had to buy 2 bottles to take home. We sat in the restaurant and enjoyed our food. The staff was really helpful. If you are looking for a good bbq spot in the Raleigh area...this is the place. read more

The BBQ Lab - Ribs, brisket, chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Welp that was a $36 mistake. While the folks working here seem friendly and helpful the food is just meh. My companion ordered a pulled pork plate with two sides and I (should've known better) ordered pulled lamb. It should actually be called shoe leather.(for real). The ambience was chain restaurant like and VERY loud with too loud music and the warehouse feeling dining area. read more

First time visiting and you pretty much wait in line and state what you want, the food is typically behind the food counter so like cafeteria style. I got the pulled pork with Mac n cheese and green beans. It also came with a piece of cornbread which was a generous size. I will say the portion size is good for the price. Everything tasted good but you have to razzle and dazzle the bbq to have better flavor. Overall busy spot in north hills, probably go back again. read more

The BBQ Lab - Bbq plate with Mac n cheese, green beans and cornbread - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I really enjoyed this one. The cuts were good. Not too fatty. The flavor was good. The area was really nice . read more

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Being from Kansas City, I feel anytime I am in a place that is known for BBQ, I need to try it. We were in Raleigh, and decided to go to BBQ Lab. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted with a smile and brief explanation of how they order things a la carte. While eating in the restaurant, the man who had greeted treated us to some southern hospitality with stories of how he got to where he was along with getting to know us. The jalapeño and cheddar sausage is must try as well as the burnt ends, if available. They were extremely tender and melted in your mouth. The bark on the ribs was a great color and gave way when biting into the meat. The pulled pork sandwich had a pound of succulent meat that we smothered in the sweet and tangy bbq sauce. There was a smoked lamb with tzatziki sauce that I've never seen done before. It was moist and heavenly, highly recommend if you're wanting to try something different. For the sides, the cornbread was moist with a hint of sweetness to it, I used it to slather up the last of the hot and tangy bbq sauce that was on my plate. The greens tasted like they'd been cooked by my mother, with pieces of ham in the dish. The jalapeño mac and cheese was creamy and seasoned well, however lacked a kick or any flavor from the jalapeños. The beans were slow cooked with a lot of flavor and love in them. The fried okra was the star of the show to me, with fresh, light coated and fried okra that was paired with a delicious remoulade. We had leftovers and we were able to enjoy them later that night, reheating the meat and sides in the oven. read more

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The food is so delicious and fresh, service was great. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Restaurant was clean and nice family setting or just a nice dinner for two. Come as you are, relaxed and ready to enjoy some delicious BBQ read more

Food isn't really true bbq. Pork chops was dry and pork sandwich meat tasted like vinegar.

The ribs had a smoky touch, potatoes creamy, salad crisp. Overall fine but not remarkable, a fair three-star meal. read more

The BBQ Lab - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The BBQ Lab is lip smacking, finger licking GOOD! Upon entry, the sweet smell of goodness greets you. The menu consists of the usual BBQ options, plus a list of handcrafted sandwiches. After careful review, I opted for The Judy, which is a carved turkey sandwich topped with provolone, bacon, and a secret sauce. It was absolutely delicious. French fries were the obvious pick for a side. Service was quick and easy. All in all, this is definitely one of the better BBQ spots I've been to. If you're ever in the area, swing by The BBQ Lab. You won't be disappointed. read more

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I bought the BBQ Brisquett sandwich that I was told by someone working there that it was what he would always recommend. Tge sandwich cost $16 with tax and it should have been $6. Even if it was $6, I wouldn't order it again because the brisquett has too much fat and too little meat. The buns tasted like the yellow kind you buy at the grocery store and even the bbq sauce was below average and I tried three different ones. I left still hungry, almost as disappointed as one could be with an order and walked on met to chickfilet to buy a much better sandwich that was much more filling as my skinny body was still hungry. The BBQ Lab Inwould say needs to go "back to the lab again" but I think it's fair to say that there was very little lab work done on this food. read more

Best Barbeque in Raleigh area hands down. All meats are tender and cooked to perfection. Their sauce is great, but I don't use much of it. I don't like their location at North Hills but we can't have everything. Also they need to put their real name on the sign " Red Neck Barbeque ". read more

Good bbq but dont go at 7pm. Its not as fresh than if you go earlier. Sides were good.

Came here because a friend was in town and wanted beef bbq in a state that features pork. We had the brisket with sides etc and it was just your run of the mill bbq. If you are in NC eat at an Eastern NC bbq shop or just skip bbq all together. read more

One of the best BBQ joints I have been to in a long time. And yes, it is located in a strip mall. But don't let that sway you. This is the real deal! My daughter recently moved to the area and we were looking for some BBQ. Again, since this place was close by but located in a strip mall, our expectations were low. But, Wow! Were we surprised. It was amazing!!! We headed up to the counter to place our order and noticed the special of the day ... Burnt Ends and Sausage. And I just LOVE burnt ends. So that was a good sign of things to come. So, of course, we ordered the special. And added to it some pulled pork for some variety. All of it was fantastic! The burnt ends were crusty, tender, and so moist. Yum! And the sausage we chose (jalapeno and cheese) was a great counter balance. Then we sampled the pulled pork and, as with the other items, very tender. And this is where we dove into the various homemade sauces and enjoyed many of them. But lets also take a moment and discuss the sides. We ordered some Deviled Egg Potato Salad and it was off the charts! Tasted just like the description. And, we added to that some hush puppies. Excellent! Crispy shell on the outside and tender on the inside with just the right amount of seasoning. I am very much looking forward to try more items next time I visit! read more

Pretty happy about this addition to North Hills. We recently went in on a Saturday night. I was glad we got there fairly early because they were already out of ribs and shortly after we ordered they were out of briskey and original sausage as well. I'm sure they are still trying to figure out the right quantities to smoke daily and I get that they can't just push more out if they are having a super busy day. My husband and I ended up with the brisket, original sausage, mac and cheese, hush puppies, green beans, and baked beans. My son was very excited that they had a BLT on the menu. I thought everything was super tasty and flavorful. Both the brisket and sausage did not disappoint, I would order them again. The sides were solid, my favorite was probably the baked beans, the jalapeno mac and cheese isn't spicy, but the jalapeno flavor just isn't my favorite. I'd love to try the ribs the next time.I head in. I saw on Sundays they have beef and pastrami ribs. I would certainly like to give those a try. The employees were all really friendly and happy to explain how ordering/their menu worked. Looking forward to heading back in soon. read more

The BBQ Lab - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I guess one of the benefits about living in North Hills is being adjacent to this gorgeous shopping center. This place reminds me of Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California. But I digress. We were supposed to dine at the Firebirds Wood Fire Grill but the estimated wait was 2 1/2 hours. So to "burn" some time (pun definitely intended) we walked around and then we chanced on this place. I haven't eaten all day and I was ravenous so me and the wife decided to take a chance. We ordered the classics: sausage, baby backs, and the traditional fixings such as chips, potato salad and Mac and cheese. Sausage was spectacular. Ribs were above average and just needed just a little bit for flavor. Good thing the table had amazing sauces to choose from. Chips was crispy but needed salt or even a dip. The mac and cheese needed a little more cheese but otherwise serviceable. The potato salad was divine! Overall it was a pleasant experience and I would definitely go back again. I'm hoping they would have more briskets and sausages as well (they ran out when we attempted to order). More later... read more

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