Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q

05/23/08

Good solid NC eastern style but not a destination

by CaptainTornado at Citysearch

BBQ brings out the passion in people and there's always somebody who will take one side diametrically opposed to another's feelings in this topic. Personally, I don't see the fuss with Bullocks in Durham as one example because a lot of people like it. Hog Heaven is a little overpriced but the food is not bad. I don't go to these places looking for fancy ambiance or luxury-grade service. But good BBQ places have a level of charm in addition to the focal point of good pork in NC. I would not hesitate to go back to Hog Heaven if I were nearby and wanting a meal. It's pretty good, but as far as being the best cue in the area? No way. It's too non-descript to qualify. Allen and Sons, also thinks a lot of their own food by the way they price it, but their pork knocks Hog Heaven out of the water. A&S has real wood flavor that I don't get any hints of at HH. Bob's in Creedmoor is far superior to Hog Heaven as far as I'm concerned. We won't even mention Lexington though it's probably not fair to compare western NC style to eastern.

I think Hog Heaven is a great place for a quick and casual meal. Good place to take the family. Service has always been satisfactory. Tables and floors are often dirty and sticky, probably because they don't have enough staff to keep things clean between sittings. Food is consistent in my experience and worth recommending but I would never suggest somebody go out of their way on a BBQ pilgrimage to try HH. I do not understand the accolades it receives but when you think about it, there's not a whole lot of competition in Durham when it comes to good barbecue.

• Pros: Consistent food. Solid and the cue is not greasy.
• Cons: Non-descript. Nothing spectacular. No wood flavor.

11/15/09

A great place for good home cooking.

by GWall123 at Citysearch

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q is a great little place. The employees are probably the most down-to-earth, nice people ever. I love to come here for my lunch hour because they are quick with the orders and I always have a good experience. Plus they are very reasonable with the prices. So if you are in the mood for bbq or just some good southern cooking I recommend Hog Heaven. They have great food and plenty to chose from. If you have never eaten there-I recommend trying the bbq or chicken. And please, try the sweet tea! I swear it is the best I have ever had!

• Pros: Food, Fast, Nice People
• Cons: None

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– November 19, 2009 at 14:06:10 PST

Thank you for a great review!

11/15/09

Not my favorite!

by workinggirl1 at Citysearch

Fast Service

• Pros: Fast

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– November 19, 2009 at 14:05:05 PST

I'm glad that you do stop by from time to time. I'm glad our service is fast for you and please let us know what we can do to make Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q one of your favorites. We value the suggestions from customers and try to apply that to future customers.

10/28/09

Not great but good

by KStater at Citysearch

Got the family pack with chopped BBQ. Sides and puppies were good, but the Q had very little smoke flavor and no "pink" evident that is usually present in real smoked meat. Don't know if they boil it or what, but it isn't smoked for hours on end. Needs lots of sauce to make it edible. Many other much better places around.

• Pros: good hush puppies
• Cons: smoked?

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 21:30:21 PDT

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We do not advertise that we have smoked meats and do not sell bbq that the real flavor of bbq is covered up with smoke. The pink that you are referring to is maybe a smoke ring. Our bbq is chopped just before you get it and our bbq is hand chopped all day, everyday. I've never heard of anyone boiling pork but maybe it's something you are used to getting. All of our pork is cooked on grills, not boiled in pots. Our bbq is pure, fresh bbq pork that is freshly chopped. Next time in the area, I would be more than willing to show you how our bbq is cooked. Just ask for me, Mark Johnson and I will show you that we are worthy of more than just two stars on the fact you didn't taste smoke. Please grade us on who we are and what we do, not who or what you want us to be. Thank you for your review and I do look forward to giving you a tour in our restaurant.

10/20/09

Best BBQ place around!!!

by cml1975 at Citysearch

This is the BEST BBQ place in town, the food is always good, hot, and fresh! The sauce is wonderful!

• Pros: Friendly and Community based!!!!

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 20:45:06 PDT

Thank you for your kind review!

10/12/09

Great food and is always willing to help the community out

by DTurner at Citysearch

Hog Heaven has always helped out through the community in helping to raise money for different events. Our loccal Vol. Fire Dept. in Bahama has held many family nights there to raise money for our station. The food is GREAT, as close to your momma's cooking as you can get. Service is always good and you will leave full all the while looking forward to the next visit! If you can't eat that banana pudding now order it to go or you will be sorry! Yum Yum!!

• Pros: Best Down Home Cooking In Town
• Cons: None!

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 20:43:57 PDT

Thank you so much for the great review. We really do appreciate your kind words.

10/12/09

I'm a Regular!

by Jane0721 at Citysearch

I love their BBQ and everything else on the menu! But I think I could eat their chicken and dumplings, candied yams and squash for dinner every day. (I do average getting that once or twice a week and BBQ that often too!) You can dine in, order at the window outside, or drive to a window. Makes it simple, it's fast, and you can't find better food.

• Pros: Best BBQ around

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 21:12:24 PDT

Wow. Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great review.

10/12/09

Great Food!

by amseeberg at Citysearch

Not only is this the best BBQ in Durham but you have to try their granny potatoes! Everything on their menu is great southern, down-home cooking! The owners are great people that are also very involved in their community and help with local non-profit organizations and events. We love this place :))

• Pros: The best food and BBQ in the area

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 21:11:27 PDT

Thank you very much for your kind words. Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q tries very hard to work with every organization to help make their event the best it can possibly be. We will always be here to help in any way possible for all you try to make a difference. Thank you very much for a most gracious review!

09/20/09

The best food I have had in a while.

by JTaylor63 at Citysearch

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q has the best food ever, we are quite discerning in our taste for food and this restaurant is by far, the most flavorful food we have had in a while! The barbeque, to die for...the fried chicken - not greasy, just perfect! The flounder and catfish were just too big to eat all at once. And the banana pudding was just right! Please, do try this restaurant out, it has plenty of personality and lots of flavor to the food. The service was just right, not too overbearing but always there when you needed her. One of our best finds around.

• Pros: Great service, flavorful food
• Cons: Absolutely, emphatically, none.

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 21:06:32 PDT

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a very kind review.

09/15/09

Best BBQ in the City of Durham!!!

by montlyfood at Citysearch

I've been all over the U.S. and tried BBQ from everywhere. The only BBQ that even comes close to Hog Heaven is out of state. My wife and I went because we live close, but have never been. Shame on us! We didn't know what we were missing. The atmosphere was cozy and clean. I ordered the Chopped Pork BBQ sandwich w/coleslaw, side of Potato Salad and Baked Beans. I was shocked how the sandwich was so Delicious! It melts in your mouth. We're big BBQ fans and we've been looking for the best BBQ in the City of Durham. Here it is! It didn't taste as thick as pork can. It had a light taste, but still filling. The potato salad was seasoned right and the BBQ Baked beans were sweet and spicy. I highly enjoyed my experience. My wife had the ribs which were, as she stated were "Cooked to Perfection"! We found our new BBQ spot!!! Service was great. We went in during the lunch hour, and our food was done and hot, within 8 minutes of ordering. Hog Heaven is the real deal when it comes to a BBQ. Thank you for taking the time to make us feel at home.

• Pros: The Ribs, The chopped BBQ sandwich, Sides
• Cons: Closed on Sunday

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 21:03:57 PDT

Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us another great review.

09/09/09

new look

by 1rdking at Citysearch

Over the holiday weekend the workers at Hog Heaven have been very busy. Imagine my surprise, to enter the dining area to find fresh paint and decor on the walls. The fresh appearence has only enhanced an already delightful dining experience. "Della" is a gem. If only other eateries in the city had a "Della" of their own. She makes a night out to Hog Heaven worth the trip. The other girls who work the dining area are a treat as well. kudos to Mark and the rest of the Durham Hog Heaven team!

• Pros: neater appearence, delightful waitstaff

Response from this business

Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q– October 28, 2009 at 21:02:07 PDT

Thank you for noticing. We had a make over in the dining room with paint and new decor. We also had new paint and signs in the small hallway at the bathrooms with new paint on everything except the kitchen. For all who know Della, our full time waitress, knows she is the best in Durham and we are very fortunate to have her at Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q.