‘God, this one hurts.’ Charlotte fans line up for one last taste of Bar-B-Q King
More than six decades of pulling into a familiar West Charlotte drive-in and ordering up minced and sliced barbecue sandwiches is coming to an end.
Owner Gus Karapanos — too busy to stop for a chat as the masses lined up Wednesday to get a few more bites — is closing up his iconic Bar-B-Q King restaurant on Nov. 1.
Most regulars have known this was coming for a while now. It’s been up for sale since 2023.
Now, First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based F.N.B. Corp., is considering plans for a bank branch project on the site, with the potential for a future drive-thru restaurant.
Customer John Joye, who was standing outside amid that bustling lunch crowd on Wednesday, said he’s been eating at Bar-B-Q King since he was a young child.
“Bar-B-Q King is the place that I’ve been coming to since my parents brought me here when I was 4 or 5 years old. It is just part of Charlotte. It’s part of the fabric. It’s part of the community,” he said.
“They’re family. And we knew that this was going to happen. It’s progress, I suppose. And sooner or later, all good things must come to an end. But, God, this one hurts.
“We’re going to miss Bar-B-Q King — and the best hush puppies, best barbecue you’ll find anywhere. And that’s all I have to say about that,” Joye added.
Bar-B-Q King’s history
Although the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission dates the restaurant to 1961, Bar-B-Q King sets its opening date at 1959 — painted into a fading mural outside the building.
In the decades since, Charlotteans have been eating its barbecue, burgers and daily specials and building community at the same time.
The restaurant is not affiliated with the Bar-B-Q King in Lincolnton, although the offerings are similar. That spot, which is not a drive-in, has been in business a shorter time — since 1971.
At Charlotte’s Bar-B-Q King, the menu hasn’t changed much, if at all, over the years. Of course, there’s barbecue. But the menu also offers po boys, fish and chicken sandwiches, burgers and daily specials among its long list of offerings.
For a family meal, Bar-B-Q King offered buckets of chicken with rolls and your choice of two sides: potato salad, coleslaw, fries or onion rings. Slices of homemade pie top it all off for a sweet finish to the meal.
The drive-in feature at Charlotte’s Bar-B-Q King helped draw the attention of Food Network’s Guy Fieri, who showcased the restaurant in 2007 during the first season of his popular show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Joye said the restaurant is woven into the fabric of the neighborhood tucked between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and uptown, holding memories for many who grew up in the area.
“Bar-B-Q King has been here a long time — and there’s just so much of the West side story that really is. It’s wrapped around here, and the little Dairy Queen right two blocks up there that that holds memories, coming here with a Little League team, and this was always a treat. This is where you wanted to go,” he continued.
“And when mom and dad said we were going to go Bar-B-Q King, you got real excited because you ate in the car and they brought it out. You had trays and the little speaker system and all. It’s just, it’s part of my life and always will be,” Joye said.
Bar-B-Q King customers say goodbye
As a line of pickup trucks filled Bar-B-Q King’s drive-in stalls and a line stretched out the door on Wednesday, many other longtime patrons stood around outside to reminisce, as well.
Benny Letterman, who’s been eating there since 1972, is among the many mourning the loss.
“It’s the only place to eat barbecue,” he said. “The place has been the same, the food hasn’t changed. It’s been pretty much the same crowd eating here.”
He’s also a fan of some of Charlotte’s other Classic Eats restaurants, including South 21 Drive-In and Brooks’ Sandwich House — which has also been up for sale.
Several other longtime Charlotte restaurants have closed in recent years, falling victim to retirements, redevelopments and other fates. Among those fondly remembered are Price’s Chicken Coop and Green’s Lunch, along with Mr. K’s, Zack’s Burgers and Gus’ Sir Beef. Bar-B-Q King is just the latest.
“It’s got a reputation. I hate to see it go,” Letterman said. “But you’ve got to retire sometime.”
Though wistful, Letterman wished Karapanos well in retirement. “It’s been wonderful.”
Mickey Parker, another regular, said he’s been eating there for probably about 50 years.
“They’ve run it great. That’s why they’ve got the business they’ve had, and that’s why everybody’s here today.”
Lonnie Pless, sitting near Parker on a truck tailgate in the parking lot, chimed in, “I’m going to hate not having good old-timey food around.”
Both wished for a chance to see Bar-B-Q King come back again in another space.
“We’ll give ‘em business if they relocate,” Pless said.
Bar-B-Q King
Location: 2900 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Drive-in, barbecue
Alex Cason contributed reporting.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
