The Q Shack

(919) 402-4227

2514 University Dr
Durham, NC 27707 35.974 -78.9248

Neighborhood: Rockwood

www.theqshack.com

Reviews & Ratings for The Q Shack

4 Star Rating: Recommended

34 reviews

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by bashtheogre

June 01, 2009

I love the food here! I use to live pretty close to the Q-Shack and have tried *everything* on the menu except the hamburger. (Why would I want to get a hamburger will all the different BBQ on that menu!?!) Now that I've moved to a different part of Durham, I still go back frequently.

They have great pulled pork, brisket, and smoked turkey. When I'm looking for a healthier meal I'll get the cobb salad (which includes brisket and turkey).

The Q-Shack staff is very friendly and the prices are great. Don't miss this restaurant!

  • Pros: Love all the food
  • Cons: none

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4 Star Rating: Recommended

by ncstate99

February 05, 2009

I got brisket, black eyed peas, and hushpuppies and I do not have a since complaint. The service was quick, everything was hot, and they had a wide variety on the menu. I liked how the meat was local, too. Fast food type seating, made to order, and TVs everyewhere.

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by gte990n

May 26, 2008

Okay, I haven't been to every BBQ place the triangle has to offer. But I have been to over half a dozen of the most touted places, including Allen & Sons and Bullock's, and the Q shack tops them all. While the ribs and the brisket are about average, the pulled pork and pulled chicken are out of this world. The sides are also amazing, including rotating specials like sweet potato fries and pepper jack creamed spinach, as well as classic staples like mac and cheese, baked beans, cole slaw, and fried okra. Also, they're open Sunday which can't be said of some other local 'cue joints. The price is reasonable (about $9-10 for a 1/3 lb., 2 sides, and drink - ribs are more, of course) and you order at a counter, which cuts down on tips. Phenomenal.

  • Pros: You come for the food and it delivers, price is reasonable, and there's ample parking and seating
  • Cons: Hmm... not many, surprised that they don't have mashed potatoes or any sort of corn dish as a side. Also, the ribs are a little disappointing, especially considering the price

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by gwhite25

April 19, 2008

Hey guys,

Coming from an African-American you can believe this one. This spot is REALLY good! I can't stand NC barbeque and I've had Coopers(which is Avg at Best) and Old Tyme(Better than Coopers). The Q-Shack is really good and I can endorse the business. If I had enough money I would buy a franchise. The food is damn good.

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by destruktor

January 21, 2008

I'm from Texas (Austin to be specific) and this place definitely satisfies. I specifically went looking for Texas style BBQ & this place fit the bill. The decor & the fact that they have Shiner on tap really made me feel at home. The Texas sauce is a bit sweeter & more vinegary than I'm used to but not too bad. The brisket was moist (not too dry or fatty as others have said). I may have to get some brisket to go and put a little Good & Co or Rudy's sauce on it- don't tell on me!

  • Pros: Meat is tender & they have Shiner on tap
  • Cons: Texas sauce not quite what I'm used to

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by gsharp247

November 30, 2007

I've dined at both the Durham (Original Q Shack) and the Raleigh (North Hills) Q Shacks and have never been dissapointed. I relocated here from Los Angeles and discovered that I have a new passion for NC barbecue and Qshack is one of my favorite places (the other's being Bullocks and Hog Heaven in Durham). The flavors and quality are always excellent. I visit the Durham location about 6-10x per year and will continue.

  • Pros: eastern style pork barbecue, great atmosphere

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by thebestbbq

October 24, 2007

...as there is no other! This message is in response to ZMANSTER's ONE STAR RATING of the Q-Shack in Durham. You are mistaken in giving the ORIGINAL Q-SHACK the poor review. I am sure that you have not eaten at the ORIGINAL Q-SHACK in DURHAM, or it would be a 5-star rating. At the ORIGINAL Q-Shack, you can find the founder and owner still running the cash register at lunch. His name is Dan Ferguson who sold his North Hills location to his ex-partner several years ago. Dan Ferguson has no part in the Raleigh restaurant, and those of us who are dedicated and happy Durham customers resent the comparison. Please visit the ORIGINAL Q-SHACK, where you will find the best BBQ ever! The porportions are huge, the atmosphere friendly, the service great, and the same recipies used since the restaurant's inception. And, when you do visit the Durham Q-Shack, give Dan an "hello." Perhaps you'll re-write your review so that everyone knows the high quaiity of its food and service.

Remember, there is ONLY ONE ORGINAL! Thank you.

  • Pros: Excellent food, great service, large portions, Brisket to die for
  • Cons: You may have to wait in line to order food as it is often crowded with happy customers; another con-being confused with the Raleigh site

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1 Star Rating: Poor

by zmanster

October 17, 2007

I've traveled all over the USA, lived in Dallas, St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Los Angeles and now relocated to Raleigh. I absolutely love good BBQ of all varieties. I went to the Q Shack located in the North Hills of Raleigh on two occasions and ordered the 3 meat combo-plate to try out a sampling. On my first visit everything was over cooked and dried out. The hush puppies looked like ?and tasted like it. I thought, gee, I must have gone in on a bad day or something. I always give people and businesses the benefit of the doubt, so I decided to Q Shack another try a few days later. Same thing?only worse! I got an upset stomach from it! I don?t know what people see in this place! Maybe at one time in history they were first rate, but believe me ? this place is NOT RECOMMENDED! Spend your money somewhere else! Your stomach will love you for it!

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by hiromura

March 28, 2007

On my trip to Carolina the one thing I really wanted to try was Carolina BBQ. I was told that it is really vinegary. So I gave it a try at the Q shack. I didn't like it. I mean it tasted good, but the vinegar was not for me. At any other establishment this would be a problem, but not at the Q Shack. The Texas Sauce is awesome. I kept trying the carolina one, wanting to like it, but I ended up using mostly the Texas one. I figured that it would be rude not to try as much as possible, so I got the Brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. The sausage was average (Cambells in Portland has the best by far) but maybe I shouldn't have eaten all the brisket and pork first. The hushpuppies were really good too. I've never had one before. Also they had TV's showing the game. I wasn't going to leave anytime soon. Carolina or Texas style, whatever your thing is, the Q shack is where to go.

  • Pros: Great value, Texas and Carolina Style, TVs, lots of paper towels.
  • Cons: You could ruin your appetite for the next couple days. It can get a little crowded.

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5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

by jsrife

March 24, 2007

Outstanding mix of Texan and Carolina BBQ. The sliced brisket is amazing...and the hushpuppies alone are worth the trip.

  • Pros: Great food
  • Cons: Sometimes crowded

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