North Carolina Barbecue

North Carolina is one of America’s most important barbecue regions, a story that starts with smoked pork over live coals. There’s more to the story these days, as North Carolina embraces the country’s red hot barbecue obsession. Read The News & Observer’s coverage as food writer Drew Jackson chronicles the barbecue rebirth across North Carolina, ranking our favorites, telling the stories of the historic restaurants and introducing readers to the pitmasters carrying on this sacred torch.