10/16/09

Simply the Best BBQ in NC

by Croqueteer

For me, pork barbecue sandwiches are the real test for Eastern Carolina Barbecue. I grew up on it, and my standards are high. Allen and sons simply has the best available. I get it with slaw on top and add some Texas Pete's for that extra zing. The sandwiches are large and are a problem to deal with for the first 60 seconds or so - then it gets easier. Wait staff is very pleasant and the sweet tea is very sweet. Seating is a bit uncomfortable, but I already know that going in.

• Pros: The BBQ Sandwiches
• Cons: Somewhat hard to find, furniture falling apart

10/15/09

Nothing to Write Home About

by CodyShive

First time there is the last time there. Painful hostess, server who ignored us after delivering the dinner, and burned fish were only part of what made the experience something that made me want to stop by Harris Teeter and get their BBQ ribs on the way home.

Not only was the meal not good, but when we ordered, the server snapped (yes, snapped) that they were out of two of the items we had come in to get. Okay, I'm flexible. I got the fish. It was dry, burned and lousy.

My recommendation: Find BBQ somewhere else.

• Pros: None that come to mind
• Cons: Service, food, value

10/11/09

bleh

by 4plusdog

We've lived all over the country and our last two stops Norfolk, VA and Kansas City, MO had dives that were incredibly good. Expectations were high with Allen & Son. I first saw it getting lost trying to take a short cut and soon there after read the reviews. I've been excited to eat there for a month or more. What an incredible letdown. The rub which I think is the most important part of bbq before you cook the meat is terrible and quite frankly I've never had such dried out ribs (yet the sause was dripping with oil) and pulled pork that was so fatty. Maybe it was an off night, but $30 for a small serving of ribs, some pulled pork and some slaws--I'll find another dive.

• Pros: none come to mind
• Cons: tough greasy ribs and fatty pulled pork

07/05/09

wasted a trip

by sherric

My nephew came up for a visit from his native Florida, and "loves good barbeque". After a visit to the local, award-winning Hog Heaven (Roxboro), which we all rated as great, I wanted to take him to the famous Pit in Raleigh - I've never been, either. My husband substituted Allen & Son instead. After checking the reviews, we went, highly expectant --

We could barely pull out our chairs to sit down. My nephew couldn't get his legs under the table, it was so low. The waitress appeared harried, even though the restaurant was far from full when we got there. Apparently "unsweet tea" doesn't exist. Then the meals arrived --

The top piece of meat on my serving was pure cartilage. The first bites of meat were okay, the sauce was okay, the sides (my nephew ordered French fries) were overcooked and totally soaked in oil. That includes the hush puppies. The more pork I ate, the saltier it became. The slaw was pale, runny, and too peppery to be a "cool" accompaniament to BBQ. My nephew's review is one word, which is apparently inappropriate for this site, although comparatively mild - think parc, backwards. Mine is just - total disappointment, don't have a clue why this restaurant is so highly rated by so many. We won't waste our money again.

• Pros: none
• Cons: crowded seating, food average or below

05/18/09

Heavenly

by CSMobileUser

Best BBQ in the Triangle

04/25/09

NO comparison to Bullock's in Durham!

by antonioego

My first review had been triggered by a sad example for hospitality. Coming from the Waldorf school I tried to pick up a nice picnic for my folks. Nothing on the outside of the building served as an indicator for a special culinary experience. Unfortunately, the whole experience turned out to be rather dreadful. The only glimpse of light was the cole slaw that was dripping on my car seat since they only gave me a paper bag (but I blame myself, as well). You probably could have punctured body armor with the hushpuppies they served me as left-overs from last night - "triple-fried ashpuppies". The BBQ apparently had been pulled by a tree saw since all the limbs were still present. I am still flossing my teeth. And I am also confident that Pete's Texas Sauce doesn't belong in a good BBQ. Do you want friendly customer service and great BBQ? Go to Bullock's in Durham. It's Day vs. Night at Allen and Son's.

• Pros: Cole Slaw
• Cons: BBQ - Service - Ambience - No Smile

04/03/09

Best NC BBQ

by Ander

Great palce to bring friends that want to eat NC BBQ. I am a fan of all BBQ styles, but Allen and Sons is my favorite.

• Pros: Keeping it real
• Cons: closed on Mondays

03/30/09

BBQ great, Ribs worst ever

by BBQMeister

I thought the BBQ was some of the best I have ever had - tender, juicy, good flavor. The warm butter-vinegar-pepper sauce was really good. The sides were average at best. The peanut butter pie was very good. But the ribs??? Hands down the worst I have ever had. They were tough to the point of being uneatable. The sauce (different from the BBQ sauce) was disgusting. The prices are too high for the amount of food you get. There are so many tables jammed in the place it's hard to move. The sweet tea is below average - doesn't taste fresh brewed. Overall? Go for the Q and pie and nothing else!!!

• Pros: BBQ
• Cons: Ribs, cramped

01/17/09

Great BBQ

by mystikallimitz02

I've eaten at just about all the BBQ places in the triangle and this one takes the cake...easily. To the people that said it wasn't good...your taste buds must have left you long ago or you're just a complete moron who doesn't like good food.

• Pros: Great price, great food, great people
• Cons: In the middle of nowhere so it's a bit of a drive from Durham.

08/22/08

From Someone who know BBQ

by kanadakid

Pay no attention to the reviews that stated dissappointment or expecting a tomato based sauce. This is a cross between Eastern style and Lexington.

Wood smoked port shoulders with a vinegar based dip /sauce. Hush puppies and cole slaw are excellent sides to accompany your slow roasted shredded pork.

Leave a little room for the home made pies served warm. The service is a freindly as it can get. Our waitress

was genuinely concerned that we were pleased with our meal. You can't fake real hospitality ! This is a very good BBQ place that I highly recommend.

I live in the north and have taken to smoking my own pork shoulders and making my own dip and mustard based South Carolina style BBQ because I can't get the real thing in the north.

Allen & sons is the real deal !

Hope this is helpful,

DH

• Pros: Good smoked pork shoulder, great dip, fast service
• Cons: I coldn't walk after eating