After my poor review I was asked to come back and give them another try. And honestly that was a great decision on the managers part. I was pleasantly surprised and I guess my last visit was just a fluke. This time I got the pimento cheese app that was sooooo good!!! And the brisket blew my mind! Everything I ate this time was top notch! I wondered why I had such a bad experience last time. I also had my husband check the bathroom to see if it was clean, and he sad it was pristine! Thank you guys for giving me a second chance! We will be back!! read more

Came here on a recommendation, making the 30 minute drive to Raleigh from Chapel Hill. Upon walking up to the restaurant, you realize that this is a pretty upscale kind of BBQ place. My preference are the down home, hole-in-wall joints and have often been disappointed by "gourmet" 'cue. But, we had worked up an appetite and several people had vouched for The Pit. Although there were at least 5 tables available, we were told that the wait time would be 45 mins to an hour. I guess the open tables were for people who previously made reservations, something that would never happen at a "real" BBQ establishment (see Rudy's, Austin, TX). However, there were 3 seats at the bar for my colleagues and I, so we opted to eat there. We started with some excellent local microbrews on tap. Complimentary biscuits and hush puppies followed. We ordered the pumpkin skillet cornbread with maple butter. Things were definitely starting off on the right foot. Then, our bartender broke the bad news: they had run out of both pulled pork and brisket. This was at 7PM on a Monday. What?! After some deliberation, I ordered a 3 item combo plate, choosing Carolina style ribs (for an additional $2), chopped pork and fried chicken. I kept my side dishes very traditional, opting for baked beans and cole slaw from the list of 13 possible choices. The ribs had a nice "bark" on them and a nice smoky flavor, although some were a bit on the dry side. The fried chicken was juicy and flavorful, but was greasy and without the crunch one expects. As is the norm for North Carolina BBQ, the pork was served without sauce, so I alternated between the sweet and vinegar sauces provided. It was the clear winner. Cole slaw was excellent, but the beans were merely average. Although pretty full, I did ponder the desert list. Nothing really spoke to me or to my dining companions, so we saddled up for the ride back. Not fully satisfied, I will need to find some better BBQ in Chapel Hill before I leave. read more

North Carolina Barbecue. I am not a BBQ snob, so I can't comment on the different types there are in America as far as locations, but North Carolina BBQ is sorta topping my list because of my visit to The Pit. I get into "BBQ moods." Sometimes, I will crave that char-grilled goodness, sometimes the smell makes me nauseous, other times I'm confused why a perfectly grilled piece of protein is smothered/drowned in thick, syrup-y barbecue sauce. Nonetheless, I was excited to try out The Pit. It did not disappoint. Between my husband and I, we shared the "Big Boy" Platter, and the Fried Chicken plate. The tenderness of the of brisket and chopped pork was really good, and just thinking about it, makes me crave it. I was worried that the pork would be smothered in sauce, but this vinegar based concoction was addicting. It paired so well with the slow-cooked pork and I wish I had more. The spare ribs and baby back ribs were good too, but again, my two favs were the brisket and chopped pork. The BBQ chicken was ok, and the Fried Chicken was typical, so not sure if I'd get that again. The sides were good... between my husband and I, we shared mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, red beans and rice and potato salad. It made for a complete picnic-like meal in a restaurant. Along with my dinner, I ordered "Jenny's Back Porch Tea," which was Firefly Long Island Iced Tea mix with raspberry liquor and fresh raspberries... that drink was thick, but tasted really good... it cut through all that food quite well. The decor and ambiance was nice. Service was efficient. The Pit is definitely worth a try... OH!!!! and meals come with complimentary biscuits, butter and hushpuppies! You will definitely not leave hungry! read more

We went here as family with a group of 6 adults. We previously went online via Open Table and made a reservation, which proved smart because they were packed. We arrived 15 minutes early, and at check in were handed a buzzing coaster. We were seated at our reservation time, 15 minutes after arrival. The restaurant was bustling! It wasn't obnoxiously loud, but it was a little loud due to the sheer amount of people in one large (very open) space. Additionally, it appears to be situated in an old mill building, so the walls were brick (didn't absorb any sound.) Parking was certainly a challenge, but thankfully we found a spot after circling a few times. We also noticed they offer complimentary valet. However, it looked like one car parked by the valet was getting ticketed as we left (oops!). Though, I'm sure the valet would be responsible for that ticket... The point is, make sure you read the street signs before parking. There were plenty of meter maids writing tickets! The service was very good. They do 'team service' so we were waited on by three servers sharing our area. It's not cheap, but the portions are huge. You are given free biscuits and hush puppies before your meal. These are served with a deliciously sweet butter. The butter was so good, I asked for extras for the table. The other thing I appreciated, which is an odd observation... they brought 6 biscuits and at least a dozen hush puppies. I hate it when you go out at a group and they bring an odd number (like 3 or 4), they you do the dance of who wants the biscuits. Not an issue here... The biscuits were tasty, especially with the butter. They reminded me of Bojangle's biscuits, but less greasy and salty. The hush puppies were fantastic and had rendered sweet onions cooked into them. The sweet tea was actually very good. It tasted fresh, not over-steeped and not too sweet. We shared a basket of fries that had chopped pork, pimento cheese and chives on top for an appetizer. They were great, and heavy. My husband and I shared the triple combo, we could have shared the double and still had leftovers I think. We took a lot home. We ordered the pulled pork, ribs (small upgrade charge of $3.99 - worth it!), and fried chicken. While the pulled pork was ok, it was definitely our least favorite of all meats. Had a nice smoke to it, but needed the help of lots of sauce. The chopped pork was better, which we tasted with our appetizer. The pulled was long and stringy, which was fine - and the chopped was chopped really fine, almost chicken-salad-type-texture. The ribs were the best of the meats. They definitely had VERY odd cut to them, which was fine, just very unusual. They fell right off the bone, and most of the fat had rendered down. But they had the cartilage tips intact. They pulled right out and the meat around it was tender and juicy, it just required a little more work/cleaning to eat. However, I appreciate that they included this extra meat instead of tossing it or cutting it off. I had just never seen it in a restaurant before. (If you open the picture of the triple combo I included, look to the bottom of the plate and you see the fine white pointed cartilage tips poking out. They pulled right out and were not attached to the bone. Don't be afraid of them, I'm just making an observation that their butcher did not cut this part of the meat/rib off, as most do...) On the table there are two sauces: one is an eastern-NC (vinegar based) sauce, and the other is a sweet tomato based sauce (think of Sweet Baby Ray's). The latter is the sauce they cook the ribs with, we added extra and it was great. The chicken (white meat) was also very good and juicy. The pork was just ok for me. For our sides, we opted for two mac & cheeses (think baked mac & cheese), and an extra side of sweet potato fries. The macs were great, very rich. The fries were tasty and were sprinkled with a little sugar. I would have liked them to be crispier, they were mostly limp. Our dad got the combo appetizer (called the Pit Sampler) for his entree, he really liked it. It included deliciously smoked chicken wings (yum), BBQ soul rolls (think of an egg roll with chopped pork, cabbage collards, candied carrots fried, served with a yummy pepper jelly - these were the best!), deviled eggs (with sweet pickle pieces), and large round potato fritters. Overall, it was a great experience. Be aware of parking, reservations, and portion sizes and you'll enjoy your visit. Oh, one more thing... the music was great. They seriously played Led Zeppelin the entire time! See photos for pictures of our food & enjoy. I also included pictures of the menu, dated January 2016. (Some people find that annoying, but personally, I like when I can see photos of the menu with options and pricing...) I hope this review and the pictures are helpful, give it try! read more

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I could have easily given this three stars, but I'm going to be generous because I'm a fan of the pitmaster--there's just some things I don't agree with in execution going on here. Being from a small pig-town in NC, it's hard to say that I think this style of formal BBQ is the best... because it isn't. That being the case, the BQQ doesn't get lost in the other offerings of the restaurant. Me and my girlfriend went here, and we didn't have a reservation, but that was a while ago and I hear they're more high-traffic now. Anyway, we were seated quickly and in a nice enough area--our server was a little annoying, but not rude at least. The whole "verbal history" of the Pit thing was kind of annoying, because it seemed like a load of hot... erh, air, but I suppose some people (old) might enjoy that kind of attention. I'll be the judge of the BBQ though, but Ed's never let me down before. Honestly, I wasn't disappointed. The chopped pork was good, but it wasn't anything to write home about. I'm not sure if it was the lack of pig-lovin' I'd have in Raleigh but it still really hit the spot. I also had the brisket, which I was actually extremely underwhelmed with--but my girlfriend liked it. I'm not even sure why I got the brisket, as much as I am a chopped pork kind of guy. My girlfriend got chicken and some shoulder, and both were very good. The biggest surprise of the night for me was the BQQ baked beans. On the whole, I HATE baked beans, have never found a taste for them in my life, but somehow these were delicious. They used a variety of beans in the dish, and they weren't soggy and it wasn't too sweet, so I was pretty happy. That I don't remember much more of the experience besides being HOUNDED by a homeless man outside is kind of sad. You do need to watch out for that though, the Pit is in the middle of the Warehouse district, near FUBAR, and you're likely to be alone on the street if you get a beggar, and you probably will, they've been stalking Pit customers. read more

I guess its time to start reviewing stuff in my new town. I took out of town visitors here. I had the chopped pork plate with the cornbread stuffing and baked beans. It took me awhile and two server explanations to figure out the difference between the pulled pork and the chopped pork but I made a good choice. I sampled my friend's pulled pork and it was very good. They even have turkey versions for those of you into that sort of thing (meaning - you decide to go out to a restaurant that serves high calorie southern food and then get something "healthy"...) The little basket of corn bread and hush puppies made me really happy. I also discovered sweet tea vodka for the first time and will be forever grateful to the server for the introduction. We had a pitcher of Mother Earth's Brewing wheat beer and it was one of the best beers I have had in awhile. The service was fantastic and patient. We needed a lot of explaining as we wanted to get the full Pit experience and they were happy to answer all of our questions. I am still getting used to the cost of stuff here from overpriced DC but I would say this is a a moderately pricey BBQ place but it is worth the extra money. This is definitely a foodie and upscale BBQ experience as opposed to a good old fashioned BBQ shack. Very good - will go back. read more

I love this place for its atmosphere, service, and fabulous barbecue! Every time I've been, it's been packed, but miraculously, they seem to be very efficient and seat people quickly. They do have a bar area with food service and TVs for either waiting or eating. Don't be goaded into valet or paid parking; just tour around the block a few times to find street parking. My choice is always the turkey barbecue, and I like to use both their eastern NC and western NC sauces with it. The eastern NC sauce is good, but it's not completely authentic. Basically, I think they've styled this sauce to be palatable to almost everyone who comes in, while I think eastern NC barbecue sauce should be more piquant than what they serve. However, it searves its purpose admirably. My dining companions also tried the pulled pork, which was very good, and the meatloaf with blue cheese crumbles was suitably interesting, but not something I would order. The admirable selection of local micro-brewed beers is also a great addition to the place, and the choice of small-size brews is nice to let you try a couple. But the very best part of this place is that it is ungodly cheap for the service, atmosphere, food quality, and food quantity that you're getting. It's one of my favorite stops in Raleigh. read more

I've frequented The Pit several times over the years but less often probably over the past 2-3 years. Mainly because the food has satisfied me less and less. This visit was probably one of the worst. We went on a Monday evening for a birthday dinner. The hushpuppies were definitely the hit... maybe that's why they give them to you first. The fried chicken was decent. My teenaged son ordered ribs and said he thought he would be biting into meat, however it was mostly bone with every bite. And everything else was dry... why would you serve dry mac & cheese? So, I'm officially done. read more

First off, I'm a fan of the NY Times. So what does that have to do with a restaurant review? Well: I love the fact that they never review a restaurant based on a single visit. But based on a single visit at The Pit, we won't go back: Nothing terrible, but nothing right either. For a proper barbecue place, we were baffled how polished, large and nice it looked. Perhaps that was the warning. Service was very friendly but uneven - we had three different waiters who had little appearances on a rotating basis. That system may work for them, but sure as hell confused us. The real problem is the food, or to be precise, the lack of barbecue in the food. Pulled pork tasted like it was shown a photo of a real pit but made in the oven, nothing more. Having learned how to do butts the proper way, I was severely disappointed. Ribs were better, rather tender (please don't say "jet cooker") and had a bit more flavour. Side dishes were nice enough, but didn't save the day. Possibly we went on a bad day. But the area has so many barbecue places, not only we don't feel compelled to go again, you'd also think The Pit would want to live up to it's name and fame. read more

This is hands down the best pit bbq in Raleigh. Mr Mitchell still works during the week, and you will usually see him wandering around making sure things are going smoothly. My family has been to this restaurant numerous times because the food is really that good. World's BEST mac and cheese - even my picky 5 yr old eats it up. Collards are fantastic, sweet potato fries are a treat, beef brisket is tender and falls apart in your mouth, pulled pork is tender and smoky, fried chicken is moist and tasty - even the meatloaf is fantastic. I have not had a single thing at this restaurant that has not been outstanding. I recommend this to anyone who loves some southern home cooking and pit smoked bbq. Bonus - this is one of the easier places to get to in downtown Raleigh. While street parking is limited, they've recently started offering Complimentary Valet parking - which is so worth it. Went last week with boss and some coworkers - I took the Valet and tipped the guy a few bucks - boss got a $20 parking ticket. The valets are really friendly and nice also. read more

Hush. Puppies. It's the onion that does it for me, really. I am a sucker for onion rings and with the little bit of onion that is cooked into the hush puppies, I am clearly lucky to live in Morrisville and not have the opportunity to gorge myself on these puppies to the point of obesity. The food is pretty standard barbecue fare otherwise - really good baked beans and sweet potato fries, but the pork was just...you know, pork. Not the mind-blowing experience some people think it is. Reservations are a must if you're venturing downtown on a weekend, but if you're not that picky, the bar area is a no-reservations free for all. If you see a table, grab it. (Word to the wise - don't linger around a table. Was there about a week ago and a group of guys, who had previously paid their check, order another round of beers due to these 2 guys who were lurking about 3 feet away. It's obnoxious when you're the ones eating and being stared down by other patrons. Instead, wait until you see someone start to pay their bill and politely ask if they mind if you stole their table after they get up. They'll understand that you've been waiting, and graciousness goes a long way toward improving their generosity. Then, you don't have to stand right next to them their entire meal, and they're likely to signal you over once they are finished.) It's really a good spot if you're craving a nice night out downtown and barbecue all at the same time. Good service, good selections, and for the love of god, get the hush puppies. read more

Had the triple - brisket, fried chicken, and baby back ribs with mashed potatoes/gravy, with mac/cheese. $26 To me, just ok. - Fried Chicken (1 thigh) was hot and good (sorta of reminded me of KFC) - Baby Back Ribs (1/3 rack)- good flavor, fell off the bones, but on the too dry side (when you have to swallow a couple of times or look for more gravy on the mashed potatoes - it's too dry). - Brisket (1-thin slice 2" x 4.5" big) - Too dry for me - (always my worry when I order this) should have went with the meat loaf). - mac/cheese - luke warm, with a hardened shell of cheese - I guess if you're hungry you'll eat it - I did but left a portion of the hard shell behind. - coke - $3 - seems overrated to me - however the environment was updated - definately not bbq joint decor. With tip: $35 read more

Had dinner her recently celebrating my daughter's engagement. Everything was perfect. The bbq plates are the best. The brisket will keep you going back for more. Our server was so pleasant and accommodating, we really appreciated our evening at the Pit. read more

Good, but doesn't live up to the hype. After reading the reviews I was prepared to be awed. It didn't happen. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic. I had the brisket with the sweet potato fries. The fries were both a surprise and a disappointment. A surprise because they really tasted like sweet potatoes. They didn't really need the brown sugar sprinkled on top. The disappointment was the temperature -- they were cold and soggy. Yuck. The other sides were okay but sides aren't really why one goes to a barbecue place. The brisket was pretty good. The meat was flavored perfectly but wasn't so good as to make me want put The Pit on the must-go-again list. To be fair, I went a second time with different friends and tried the pulled pork. It was not nearly as well-prepared as the brisket. The only thing that saved it were the sauces -- very good. On the plus side, the atmosphere is perfect for a bbq place making it a good place for a meeting with friends. I'll probably go again but with lower expectations. That might be all it takes for me to bump this up another star. read more

The fried cheese appetizer thing was amazing. I really liked the mashed potatoes and the Mac and cheese was pretty good too. The meat (reason for coming) wasn't my favorite. We got there pretty late at night so maybe that's why, but it wasn't very warm and it was kind of dry. I love bbq a lot so was slightly disappointed. I found myself needing to soak it all in the sauces which was still good, but I also don't want to have to rely on sauces to make it taste great. read more

We visited this place early in the evening....impressive atmosphere, intriguing menu.... Unfortunately the service and food did not live up to expectation for a upscale BBQ joint. We had a new server and it showed. Drinks were slow to arrive... had ordered wings as an appetizer.... never arrived. Food arrived less than warm.... Not To say this is a bad restaurant, we had a bad experience.... Hope the management works to Improve consistency..... read more

I grew up in California. After eating here, it made me realize how wrong they do BBQ there. Ed Mitchell sticks to the basics, which is the way it should be. He just cooks the meat and doesn't get all lost in the sauce. The sauce is there on the table for you if you want to use it, but he pretty much cooks most of his meats there as-is. I've had the pulled pork, chopped BBQ, baby back ribs and Carolina style ribs just to name a few. ALL delicious! And I mean fall off the bone kind of delicious. The Pit offers two sauces you can use. One is a sweet, peppery BBQ sauce and the other is more of a spicy vinegar-based sauce. The best of both worlds! Personally, I'm a big fan of the sweet, peppery one. My meat is basically swimming in it every time I eat there. The only thing that's keeping me from giving this place five stars are the appetizers and a few of the sides. The jalapeno-cheddar cornbread was a little dry and I couldn't really taste the jalapeno. The BBQ fries are pretty good, but don't be alarmed if you feel like one of your arteries are getting clogged while you're eating it. The collard greens and BBQ baked beans are really well-cooked, but the mashed potatoes are mediocre at best. The deep-fried okra and mac & cheese are good, but not great. Definitely expect a wait if you're coming here on a weekend. This is a side note for all you Food Network groupies out there, but Ed Mitchell actually did a "throw-down" with Bobby Flay. Please excuse this lame tidbit, but I had to throw it out there ;) read more

I've had better eastern NC bbq, but only at little mom & pop joints. For a bigger, nicer restaurant, this is a GREAT spot to show your Texan skeptical friends what NC bbq is about. I grew up on eastern NC bbq and still enjoyed every bite of my food at The Pit. Overall, it's a good place to try eastern NC bbq in the downtown area. Non-locals would definitely enjoy it. It's also got great proximity to some breweries and a cool beercade. Would make a great dinner after a ride with Raleigh Trolley Pub, too (across the street... thinking biking + alcohol + friends riding the streets of downtown). Pro tip: ask for honey and use it on your biscuits and hush puppies. read more

In a region filled with great barbecue, The Pit still fills a nice niche even if the food isn't in the top echelon. If you're in the mood for some barbecue but want the semblance of a fine dining experience, The Pit is a good choice. I like to go for dinner because unlike lunch, you get unlimited baskets of hush puppies and biscuits that are super yummy. I could fill up on those alone and be happy. Caution though, as prices are about $4+ higher per entree. I've had the brisket, fried chicken, pulled and chopped pork, and although they were all fine (some a bit dry), I'd go elsewhere if I was purely interested in getting some yummy cue. I've been satisfied with the sides, although again, not particularly amazing. Bacon cheesy grits were actually pretty yummy. Beans, mac and cheese, cole slaw, sweet potato fries all satisfactory. The banana pudding is pretty amazing, although kind of pricy at $7 especially when I could easily finish it alone. I also went during restaurant week earlier this year and it was a great and more affordable way to experience The Pit. Most of the offerings were not on the regular menu which was unfortunate cause some of it was really good. I'll definitely go back next time they're running it. read more

I have eaten a lot of BBQ, and written extensively about it. But my experience with "Authentic" BBQ is fairly limited. Does it count when they come to NYC for the Madison Square BBQ? Do the NYC joints with Southern transplants running the pits count? Does the BBQ I've made myself when I had a backyard and a smoker count? These are the things that keep me up at night. Recently though, I've been attempting to work through my travel hang-ups and have ACTUALLY ventured outside of New York State. In an airplane. I know, its a whacky thing to consider for a guy who just told you he's anxious about Authentic BBQ and travel. Anyway, these recent travels have put me in locales that are a bit more known for smoked meats, such as North Carolina. The Pit is first of all, welcoming. My party was immediately served water by a guy with an OUTSTANDING beard. Our server was very accommodating of our out-of-townness ("What do YOU recommend") and our short amount of time ("Can you bring out ALL of the massive plates of food at once? We have five minutes to eat"). The pork, both pulled and chopped, with the NC-style vinegar sauce was delicious. It was all kinds of words that tell you things taste good to your mouth. They each went perfectly with the slaw. Also, in addition to your meat, your sides, they hide three hushpuppies under a fresh biscuit! There is so much food on your plate, you should probably share. You won't, but you probably SHOULD. read more

So far had the pit sampler starter. Wings were perfect, as well as the deviled eggs, mac and cheese bites. Bbq rolls were good too. Service has been good so far. Xinner great. Staff great. read more

My sister and brother in law took us to The Pit for dinner last night. I can't stop thinking about how freaking GOOD it was. There are a few decent bbq places in Detroit, but this blew them away. We ordered family style (per my family's recommendation; they eat here often), and I'm so glad we did. We were given a large basket of hot, delicious biscuits and hush puppies to start, with honey butter. The hush puppies were like crack - I wanted to eat them all! The biscuits were buttery, homemade perfection. Then, the appetizers came out. We ordered chicken wings, and I could have made a meal off of just them. My whole family felt that way, because we ordered 3 orders of them! The meat was smoky and delicious, and the blue cheese dressing that was served with it was the best I've ever had. So good! We also has the skillet pumpkin cornbread with maple butter, which was ok, but too sweet for my liking. For the entrees, we had the chopped bbq, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and coleslaw. It was all so, so delicious! Having eaten so many appetizers, I was approaching thanksgiving dinner full - but I powered through. The macaroni and cheese should get a special shout out - it's seriously fantastic! For dessert (of course they include dessert), we split two large wedges of chocolate cake. It was super rich and decadent - and, I suspect, store bought and frozen (it was served almost frozen). But we were all so full we just picked at it, so it didn't really matter. If you're ever in the area, do yourself a huge favor and eat here! read more

Most NC BBQ places are not open on Sunday's. Never understood why, but almost in every county in nc this has been the case for years and that's just the pits! Well, The Pit, is open and doing it all so well! Located in downtown Raleigh, it's in the Depot Area near the local Amtrak station in what looks to be a possible former depot station. A very large dining room greets you as you walk in, exposed brick walls, and old wood beams and ceilings make for a warm cozy experience! Of course wanting to try several things, we first ordered the Double Combo which included Pulled Pork, Chopped Pork, Collards, and Green Beans! The pork was extremely tender with a few of those nice burnt ends! It comes without sauce, which I've come to appreciate, but there is both eastern and western sauce on your table. The Collards, which are actually a cabbage/collard combination, are just fantastic and certainly the "side dish" winner! The second dish ordered was done so because of the pics of fellow Yelpers! I ordered the Four Piece Fried Chicken with Mac n Cheese and Baked Beans. The Fried Chicken is perhaps some of the best I've ever had! It's a thicker crispier batter, much like the extra crispy batter of KFC. The four pieces are large, juicy, and crispy exterior! The Mac is really good as well, and if I remember our server's comment, it comes much like a baked version with three different cheeses! The Baked Beans, which our server recommended, left a lot to be desired as I felt they just weren't as good as I'd expected at a BBQ joint. When they have the Creamed Corn, which isn't very often, get it! All this to say, The Pit does there thing right and does it really well! You certainly won't leave all down in the pits, as the service alone at The Pit will have you leaving with a smile on your face! And perhaps a bit of BBQ sauce too! read more

The Pit - Pulled Pork w/ incredible Collards and decent Green Beans! - Barbeque Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Good location but way over hyped. Any of the other bbq spots are much better. Not good southern food and a bad service model leading to poor service. Had to wave over a server after not getting service, through the meal we had 5 different employees help us but never got anyone's name and was never asked how the food was. Their collard greens and green beans are bland, canned veggies cooked correctly often tastes better than what they prepare. The BBQ itself is ok, but nothing I would brag about especially for a BBQ joint. For good BBQ, check out Clyde Coopers downtown, or Backyard BBQ in durham which is phenomenal. read more

This place has the best ribs I have ever tasted! The meat is so tender and pulls off the bone so easily, it is so gooooood~ I went here a while back when I was visiting my cousin with my siblings. We decided to try this place after seeing the man vs food, and it did not disappoint me. The service was great and our waiter was real polite. He recommended my brother to get the famous chopped bbq, my sister I think also got the chopped bbq. I got the carolina styled ribs with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. We also got the onion rings and hush puppies as appetizers. The hush puppies were real good and the onion rings were like any other nothing really special. The ribs like I said before were the best I have ever tasted. Everything about it was so good that words can not really describe it, you just have to go and try for yourselves. My brother said that the chopped bbq was good. I gave him one of my ribs and he said he wished he ordered that instead. Overall if I am around Raliegh again I would like to go and eat there again. read more

Patience.... Wait for it.... Wait... Have a beer.... Never fear, the ribs are hot the ladies are haught. The pork is lean the shitter is clean. read more

Well, I guess I need to eat my words and my leftover rack of ribs. The Pit has surely impressed me!!! After reaching out to the management there (who personally reads EVERY Yelp review) I was contacted by the General Manager Lee. He apologized profusely and let me know that my experience was not the norm there and wanted me to give them a second chance. He even offered a gift card as an incentive! I took him up on his offer and decided to go for my daughter's 4th birthday. I was impressed!! The service was on point and 2 managers came to the table to personally introduce themselves to me including Lee who wanted to thank me for giving them another chance. And I'm not beyond forgiveness. They explained "team service" which means the possibility of more than one server. And a dessert with candle was brought for my little girls birthday. Apology accepted!! Your staff has blown me away and I will be back again and again!! read more

Carolina BBQ at its best! We visited around 11:30 on a weds for lunch. We were seated right away in the large dining area, complete with pig decor. We were given hush puppies and biscuits to start along with continuous refills of sweet tea. I ordered the pulled pork which was served undressed on a piece of bread. I preferred the sweet molasses sauce which they refer to as the western sauce. The vinegar sauce was a little spicy. I enjoyed the Brussels sprouts with bacon and the macaroni and cheese sides. My coworker ordered the ribs which he said were fall of the bone tender and delicious! He ordered baked beans and really enjoyed them. The portions were generous and we didn't save room for dessert, but their strawberry pie sounded interesting. This was a great lunch spot- when back in Raleigh we will check it out again. They also sell their sauces and rubs. read more

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Another Raleigh gem that I just happened to stumble upon on my one and only day in town. The menu informed me that the quality of the meat and vegetables I would soon be pulverizing were antibiotic, hormone-free, and most importantly local. Between the comfortable yet classy decor, efficient staff, and overall friendly ambiance, I had a feeling something delightful was in store for me. There was and it ruled! I wasn't aware of the vinegar based BBQ preparation of North Carolina meats, but now that I have I will forever be a fan. The first bite of my pulled pork sent a delectable wave of awesomeness that started at my taste buds and didn't stop until my entire body was electrified. This isn't an extreme hyperbole either, this flavor moved me. What is mind boggling about all this, is that I ate the majority of my pork without any form of table sauce (as I would typically at other BBQ chains). The meat has more than enough flavor on its own! For my side I ordered two sides of the vegetable of the day, which turned out to be Yams. I was hoping to eat a more Zone-friendly carbohydrate but I decided to go for it anyway as to not cheat myself out of the whole experience. Like everything else on this visit, my yams were on point. Excellent place, I recommend it to everyone (even vegetarians as they have a BBQ tofu option that is allegedly magnificent as well)! read more

I'm trying to hit a few of the classic barbecue spots during a vacation in North Carolina. The Pit is not one of them - but let me explain. It's an upscale expansion of Carolina barbecue in redeveloping downtown Raleigh - which needs it. It's outfitted with polished wood tables and top drawer liquor. It has a few too many framed New York Times and Bon Appetit articles featuring the pitmaster. However the meat is good and true. The sides keep up. I just marvel at the balance good Carolina barbecue keeps between smoke and the flavor of pork. The Pit does it just fine! It's way too upscale for purists. But it has evening hours, stronger drinks than sweet tea and it's probably closer to your business in Raleigh than most other places on the barbecue trail. Don't miss it. read more

This place definitely lives up to its hype. A few friends and I split the ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, and we were not disappointed. The ribs were probably the best I've ever had. The meat was incredibly flavorful, juicy, and fell straight off the bone. The brisket was slightly dry but still delicious, and even the complimentary biscuits and hushpuppies were awesome. I would definitely recommend making a reservation, as this place is PACKED. We were promptly seated (service is great, by the way) because we had one, but others who didn't had to wait around 2 hrs for a table. Once my arteries recover, I'll definitely be coming back for more. read more

After living in Raleigh for over a year and hearing so much about it, I finally decided to try the Pit. I made a reservation even on a Tuesday night because I saw that the reservations on Open Table were starting to disappear. When I got there, the place was definitely packed. We were seated immediately and the wait staff were very quick to ask for our drink order and bring out a basket of hush puppies and biscuits. I didn't try the biscuits but the hush puppies were definitely good. I ordered the pulled pork with mashed potatoes and cole slaw and I have to say I was definitely underwhelmed by it especially after reading all the rave reviews. The pork was dry and the sauce I tried tasted just like A1 Steak Sauce, which I thought was odd to go with BBQ. I thought that maybe I just wasn't that into this style of BBQ but I've been to other BBQ places in the triangle that were much better and much cheaper. Ironically, the two people I was with didn't try anything off the BBQ menu and loved their food. They got the chicken sandwich and spinach salad with fried catfish. Overall, the service is good and the decor is nice but I probably won't go here again. I'd go somewhere else if I was craving BBQ. read more

Second visit, first was fabulous! This time we could tell Pitmaster Ed was gone, no smoke flavor in the meat. Don't want to share too much info but the entire family has had painful bloating and gas as well. Service was mediocre, bartenders aren't familiar with all the microbrews they serve. In 6 months since first visit the place looked tired, boxes of stock piled on wall dividers, muck slopped on walls on the way to restroom, seems like management has left it to run itself. Hush puppies and fried okra still great as is warm banana pie, cause it's warm, by my definition it's not banana pudding ;-) To summarize was disappointed in return trip, will try other BBQ places next time we're in the area. read more

UPDATED: I was invited back to The Pit, by Erica, the manager of the establishment, who I hold in high regard after her response, and subsequent actions, to the review I originally posted. My family and I went back this past Saturday and it was a perfect evening. The food, as always, was excellent, and our three servers were wonderful. There wasn't a moment when our drinks weren't refreshed! The hostess who greeted us was very friendly and without missing a beat immediately seated us for our reservation. The family and I had a great meal and were shown great service from the minute we walked in until we left. Free valet definitely helped as well since the parking can be tricky. I said earlier that I wasn't sure I would be going back, but after Eric and the team at The Pit, really pulled out all the stops this past weekend my whole clan was perfectly charmed and will definitely visit again. Earlier Review: I've been to The Pit three times now.The food never disappoints. The portions are very large so I know that I'll always have enough left over to eat the next day for another filling meal. The service team waits on tables in teams of three and each time I've been there they have always been very attendant to refilling one's drinks, making sure everything is alright with the meal, and rectifying anything that may have not been done correctly (such as not getting the sides you ordered). The only part of this restaurant that has me really wondering if I'll go back again is their host stand. Every time I've been there, it's been a disaster, and their "hosting" needs a severe attitude adjustment. Just as an example, my family of 6 and I went this weekend to celebrate my sister's birthday. We got there 5 minutes before our reservation and since there was no valet (maybe not for lunch?) and street parking was full, my party had to circle a few times. I did check in before our reservation and the one hostess (because they had 4 standing there) told me to just come back when my party was all inside and she could seat me. Ten minutes later, our party was inside, I went to the host stand again, told another hostess (who was there, mind you, when I originally checked in, and watched the other hostess check my party in) that my party was all here for my 1pm reservation. She told me, "just stand to the side." Okay, a little rude, but we did, and we waited and waited. Finally 15 minutes later, my mom hears one hostess say, "I'm just waiting for this girl to get here so I can seat her party." My mom tells the hostess we've been here for the past 20 minutes and looks at the hostess who told us to stand aside and she just turned her head and looked the other way, and at the ceiling. I don't really understand why there has always been a problem with the host stand. We've been ignored, we've been chastised by them, and we've been overlooked by them. Perhaps I am just a glutton for punishment because I have been here 3 times, but I think those days are over. Good food, but I don't need to feel like I have to worship the ground the hostess walks on just so I can get seated in time and not be given dirty looks. read more

As I write this, I am still contemplating my decision to rate 3 stars- that is how bad I wanted to love this place. However, as a northerner excited to try BarBQ in the south for the first time, it just didn't fully strike the cord I was hoping for. Five of us were seated for lunch and service was just okay; it wasn't terrible by any means, but it also wasn't a memorable experience. Complimentary biscuits and hush puppies were enjoyed by all. I ordered the brisket with Brussels spouts and greens. Others' orders included baby back rib, and three in our party ordered pork and brisket combo with various sides. As a huge fried green tomatoes fan, I ordered these as an appetizer. The breading tasted bland and the goat cheese on top was really the only thing that made them stand out, in my opinion. I wanted a lot more goat cheese, but it only came with a few sprinkles. The tomatoes came with a red, tomato-ey dipping sauce, which honestly tasted like tomato water to me. The consistency was thin and it lacked a ton of flavor. The green tomato-to-breading ratio however, was decent. The meals came out not much longer and I loved the brisket; it was delicious and tender. Brussels sprouts were among the best I've ever tasted. They had pieces of bacon in them and were slightly caramelized with just the right amount of salt to cut the bitterness. The greens were good, but I added a combo of the vinegar and bar-b-q sauces offered on the table for added flavor. I also tasted my friend's appetizer, which I cannot recall the name of, but resembled an egg roll- they were greasy and delicious. I really liked the outer layer, whatever it was. I sampled the ribs, pork, cole-slaw, and mac and cheese, all which were decent. Aside form the brisket, I enjoyed the ribs the most. I thought the pork was slightly dry. Adding vinegar-based sauce enhanced the pork flavor. I didn't finish my food and the waitress didn't ask if I wanted a box, which I ended up asking for. We also had 2-3 different servers, during our dining experience. The bathrooms were clean and conveniently located in the center of the restaurant, rather than far in the back. Nobody had room for dessert, but we all left full and pleased, our bill for 2 not exceeding $43 (including beer). Several things that can be improved is the flavor in some of the breading, quality of sauces, and a slight increase in customer service. The Pit isn't a terrible place for BarBQ; I just would not go out of my way to come back. read more

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I loved this place. The waitstaff were so nice. The food was excellent. The only thing was the parking. I ended up yelling and swearing at some old guy bc he wouldn't move from in back of my vehicle and it was setting off safety alarms and the breaking system so I couldn't leave. I don't know why y'all think women can't drive. Uber/Lift to the restaurant. read more

The Pit is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh- hands down. You can't go wrong with anything you order here, although I always have to order the Chopped Pork Barbeque Plate. It's chock-full of flavor and so juicy. They have a pretty big selection of local and craft beers too, which pairs oh so nicely with some good old NC BBQ. We love this place so much, my husband and I had our rehearsal dinner here. We had about 50 guests and it was amazing. Almost endless chicken wings, onion rings, and stuffed mushrooms (oh my, the stuffed mushrooms!!) for appetizers. Then for dinner: chopped pork BBQ and beef brisket with sweet potato fries and mashed potatoes (yes, we doubled up on the potatoes because we just couldn't pick one or the other!). The serving size was unreal...I'm just happy I fit into my wedding dress the next day! We definitely got our money's worth. The Pit is a MUST when you're visiting Raleigh. Or if you live here, what are you waiting for?!? read more

The portions are monstrous! All of us ordered the full rack of ribs because we were starving......the portions are huge. When I saw the size of the ribs....I felt like I was in the Flinstones! This is a very positive thing, but order the half rack and you will be just fine. The ribs were very meaty and delicious. They tasted great, even without the barbecue sauce. I happen to like sauces a lot, but I didn't need much for these ribs. The macaroni and cheese was bland, did not like much. The cheese grits were pretty good. The creamed corn side dish, mashed potatoes and gravy and coleslaw were yummy. Biscuits, delicioius. And the banana bread pudding :) :) :) :) Definetely a must. Even though we were stuffed we ordered it because I read from other reviewers it was a must, and they were right. read more

The holy land of Raleigh! Thanks to Man vs. Food, this has become the must visit spot of Raleigh. And I couldn't agree more, every time my family and friends visit, I gotta take them to the pit. You gotta get the ribs. Carolina or baby backs, whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed. I am in love with the ribs here. Well seasoned, fall off the bone, juicy, succulent, meaty goodness. Best ribs ever! Damn, now I want some ribs! Their pulled pork is amazing, their sides are amazing (I especially love their collard greens). The only thing I wouldn't recommend getting here is the fried chicken. It's a little on the dry side. But I won't even take a star away for that cause the ribs will make up for it! Ribs. That's all she wrote. read more

This is definitely the heavy hitter of eastern NC BBQ. You can tell from the second you walk in that this is not like the other places. I kept reading that it was more upscale here than any other BBQ joint in town, and the only thing I can figure is that what upscale means to some is that it is clean, has a bar, and the servers wear uniforms. I thought there might be some sort of dress code(which I would not have met, I'm sure), but I quickly found that jeans, t shirts and camo caps (another code I did not meet) were quite acceptable. The service was really good, with multiple servers working all tables to ensure we never went long without someone checking in. Recommendations were made, beer selections were explained, and small talk was enjoyed. The interior is large and open, and it's very clean. Plenty of sunlight from the big windows up front gets through, and it's obvious a good amount of time and money went into this place. The food was good. Real good. We had the fried green tomatoes, one pulled pork plate and one chopped pork plate. Everything was really, really delicious. I can't go so far as to say the best ever, but it's right up there with them. This is easily one of the best BBQ places, and one of the best restaurants in general, around. read more