- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
Category: Restaurants Barbeque Barbeque [Edit]
6203 Millhouse RdChapel Hill, NC 27516
(919) 942-7576
- Hours:
Tue-Wed 10:30 am - 5 pm
Thu-Sat 10:30 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
153 reviews for Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
Review Highlights
-
"The hush puppies are amazing in their own way." In 52 reviews -
"The Sweet Tea - I say it was pretty perfect." In 26 reviews -
"the pulled pork is fantastic--certainly hard to beat." In 29 reviews
Loading...
153 reviews in English
-
Review from Scott K.
4/24/2012
The bbq here is pork-tastic. The bbq has a delicate smoke flavor to it. The brunswick stew is very good and the onion ring are decent. The hushpuppies are just ok. The sweet tea is some of the best sweet tea around. Every time I come here I find it very difficult to order something else from the menu. The bbq plates give you alot of food for the money, but expensive. I usually get the bbq sandwich with one side and sweet tea for $8.00. Yes, I will continue to go back here. Love the pig decor with farm equipment!
Food A
Decor B
Staff C
Location D
Health Inspection Grade 91.5 -
Review from rAs j.
Durham, NC
Updated - 4/27/2012
Dear Allen & Sons,
You are a BBQ joint and your BBQ sucks. Way to go.
Had a bad experience in the restaurant a while back. Today they catered our department lunch party. EVERYTHING WAS TERRIBLE. It's almost like they're trying to make shitty food. In that case, they have succeeded beyond expectation.
Fried chicken - breading was mush; tasted like old fryer grease; meat was dry as sand.
Pulled pork - also dry as sand; way too much vinegar.
Mac & Cheese - on par with Kraft boxed mac and cheese; it was topped with boxed cafeteria-style croutons... Seriously, WTF? Did you run out of bread crumbs and just said "Fuck it."?
Hush puppies - tasted like old fryer grease.
Cobbler - I'm guessing the fruit was canned since it was so nauseatingly sweet and shriveled; the fruit was DROWNING in liquid which made the crust complete mush. Pathetic.
I had heartburn before I could even finish half of my plate. And that's all I could choke down before I threw the rest in the trash. I do not understand how this place gets ANY positive reviews. Zero technique; zero character; zero flavor. This is amateur-level cafeteria food at a premium price. Keep riding the wave of unearned success afforded to you by Oprah and culinary publications of yesterday, because that's all you have left.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/19/2011
Can't give them 3 stars. Had really high hopes for this place with all I've heard. But it was a… Read more »
-
-
Review from John L.
4/1/2012 4 Check-ins Here
OM. Nom. Nom. Nom.
Allen & Son is Carolina BBQ. It's the vinegary goodness that you hope for.
It's also very country. It's up 86, past everything in Chapel Hill including Weaver Dairy and Homestead. You're pretty much on the verge of reaching Hillsborough by the time you get there. But it's worth it. You get the whole country experience, great food, awesome hush puppies, and BBQ which is about as good as anything you can possibly get in the Triangle, all on the cheap.
Simply put, Allen & Son is exactly what you are looking for if you're looking for Carolina BBQ. Hours are not regular, so you will want to check before you go. -
Review from M M.
Durham, NC
5/23/2012
Barbecue is very good, sides not great and a good chocolate pie. Service can be a little bit slow.
-
Review from Jeff L.
Boston, MA
5/14/2012
Best BBQ in the area. Lived in Chapel Hill for several years and this is the best spot for East NC BBQ. The pork was delicious and is usually very lean. The hush puppies are amazing and they have great sweet tea. The deserts and pies are homemade and are also very good. Whenever I go back to visit friends in Chapel Hill I make it a point to stop by Allen and Sons. Classic
-
Review from Sam J.
3/29/2012
LIQUID SMOKE
The brown building was so nondescript, and the "Allen & Son" sign on the roof so faded, that I drove right by the place on my first pass.
Order: Chopped pork plate, slaw, hush puppies, sweet tea with lemon.
Positives:
(+) Intensely flavored 'Q. Delicious white slaw. Superior sweet tea.
(+) Homey atmosphere.
(+) Sanitation Rating: 100!
(+) The waitress came back and refilled my tea, and left the carafe. I love when they do that!
Negatives:
(-) Greasy and burnt hush puppies.
(-) BBQ was too wet and over sauced! Extremely salty.
(-) Poorly and inconsistently chopped meat.
(-) Not a generous serving of BBQ, but honestly, it was just enough.
(-) Expensive! The bill was $12.17 + $3 tip = $15 for lunch. Was it worth it? Yes.....err, probably.
(-) The kitchen was run by a single, twenty-one year old lad. I'm not sure he is completely up to the task.
(-) My waitress was suitably attentive, but unfriendly. A "to go" cup of tea would have been appreciated, but they didn't offer to fix one. I should have asked, I guess.
(-) I've read that the owner simply doesn't open the restaurant on some days. Is the passion gone? When one loses the desire, quality suffers, employees are unhappy over lack of steady employment, short cuts are taken, the building gets shabby, etc. - not good at all.
Allen & Son merits three stars. There are better 'Q joints down east.Listed in: North Carolina Barbecue
-
Review from Andrew D.
Germantown, WI
3/29/2012
Seriously, I LOVE NC BBQ! I was there last week and was with some NC people who shared my love for eastern NC BBQ (vinegar based with spices added to pulled pork) and they thought I would love this place. I did and should I ever be able to find it again in the middle of nowhere, I would go! The food was affordable and everything you would expect from an old BBQ shack (no offense to the owners). The place was busy and the sweet tea was fantastic. I think I am still rocking off the sugar intake. The crash is going to be ridiculous! Haha.
It doesn't compare though to my favorite (Bill Ellis BBQ in Wilson, NC), but it was extremely tasty. -
Review from Clement L.
Cary, NC
3/27/2012
I would say probably one of the best bbq places in the triangle. I'd rate it ahead of Bullocks and the Pit. It's just plain good!!!!
Their barbecue is smokey and full of flavor. Their vinegar sauce is nicely balanced with some spice on the back end. Basically its the epitome of what good NC style barbecue should me, so if you have people coming into town or if you yourself wonder what should NC style barbecue look like then look no further. Their ribs are pretty good too, but if you just want the real stuff go for the pork!
Their hushpuppies are freaking addictive. So light and fluffy on the inside and nice and crunchy on the outside. You can just keep shoveling them down, so be careful!!
Decor is pretty simple and servers are nice. I've been here with a small group (~8) before and they were pretty accommodating. It can get crowded on the weekends but it's well worth the wait! -
Review from Mari C.
Raleigh, NC
4/29/2012
The service isn't amazing, but this isn't exactly 4 star dining either. However, the food is fantastic! Great BBQ, good peppery coleslaw, and potato salad. I've had the cobbler, and although it was a little mushy and cakey it was still very good.
They also do take out orders. We did this for a party and it was great. Heat everything up at home, and it's an easy and fairly inexpensive way to feed a lot of people. -
Review from Tripp W.
Wow, I didn't expect to write this, but Allen & Son's kinda sucked. I know, I was very surprised too.
So, here is my story. I was like a kid going to Disney World when we drove all the way out to A&S. This is THE NC BBQ mecca. I felt as I should bow at the door on the way in.
[Start little voice in my head]
This is going to be amazing. Oh boy, oh boy! What do I order....what do I order?? Seems like you can do a little BBQ plate, a big BBQ plate, or BBQ with stew. Gosh, the plates only come with hush puppies and coleslaw. No other side options? [In big letters at the top of the menu 'NO SUBSTITUTIONS'] Bummer, but it's cool; I will order something separate. $3.50 for a side of baked beans?!? Wait a second, those BBQ plates cost $11-12?!? Holy crap. Where are we? NYC? [Looks out the window] Nope, still in the sticks. This better be awesome.
Mean waitress comes over. Not busy mean, but country mean. We are obviously a buzz kill on her day. Waters all around except one coke for the father-in-law. Everybody orders and the no substitutions rule was enthusiastically enforced. The plates come quickly (scooping doesn't take long) and the father-in-law requests a coke refill. Charge for freaking refills?!? Who does that? Oh man; this better be super awesome. Poke my BBQ with a fork and it's mushy. Clearly over-sauced. The smokey flavor is here but the consistency was wayyyy off. It can't be true....the best thing on the plate is the coleslaw. I don't even like coleslaw! The hushpuppies, merely average. But the BBQ....for the sake of all that's good in NC. Crap.
[End little voice]
This was the biggest let down in my food life. My father-in-law and I were crushed. We have been looking forward to trying A&S for a while. We actually went one time before and it was randomly closed, which I hear happens often. The owner just doesn't feel like make BBQ somedays. That day, we went to The Pig a couple miles away and got way better BBQ, sides, and experience. Come to think of it, I feel you get better BBQ at The Pit in DT Raleigh at a much better value. ~$10 for BBQ, two sides, hushpuppies and biscuits, free refills, and not out in the boondocks. I am definitely not saying The Pig or The Pit have the best NC BBQ, but they are solid. The same can not be said for A&S.
Sad BBQ panda. -
Review from Matt K.
2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was nervous about giving Allen & Son's a relatively low rating due to it's legendary status, but I have to admit that my experience was disappointing. Any place with such limited business hours gets a lot of build up in my mind for some reason. Allen & Son is also featured in one of our cookbooks at home! Tripp W. has said it all very well and some of my feelings are the same, but I walked away with a few more positives.
I was expecting some out of this world stuff, and I think everything was just OK. I ordered the ribs, and my wife got the bbq plate. I am open to all kinds of bbq but there is a very heavy vinegar base to the A&S sauce. The ribs were served wet and were greasy. I wouldn't get them again. My wife cleaned her plate of chopped bbq. I tried some, and that would definitely be my preference next time around.
As for sides: The cole slaw was tasty, but very pedestrian. The fries were fresh cut. The hushpuppies are good as many have said, but I don't think they were the best I ever had or particularly memorable.
We each had lemonade which we enjoyed, but it does not come with refills. Also, the plates in general were pricey. We ordered peach cobbler for dessert and it was good, but again not amazing.
I liked the decor and the seating arrangements; the whole place was bigger than I thought. Also our server was attentive and helpful.
The other downside was price. I know we got dessert, but for 2 people with tax and tip it was $40. That's a lot for bbq anything as far as I'm concerned.
I want to visit again to try the bbq plate and hopefully update my review. Unfortunately though, my first visit was disappointing. -
Review from Mei O.
2/22/2012
A ginormo carafe of sweet tea set down next to my pretty big glass of sweet tea, all just for me? YES! Did I need so much caffeine and sugar? Probably not, but it was yummy and I was smitten.
And then my bbq plate came out, with a bottle of vinegary and slightly spicy sauce to go with it. YES! The pork was delicious and the flavor was spot on, in my humble, not that experienced opinion. All other bbq places will now be held up to Allen & Son for comparison. I loved that the cole slaw wasn't too sweet, and the potato salad hit the spot. -
Review from Stacie N.
Durham, NC
2/13/2012
God, the hours kill me. This place isn't open nearly often enough, or late enough. Sometimes, even when it rightly should be open, it's not.
It's a trek. Seriously. I'm increasingly convinced it lives in a wormhole where there is no place that's actually close to it.
The hush puppies? Good enough, but never legendary in and of themselves.
The other sides? Mostly avoid.
Their prices are in the top quartile of barbecue places in the Triangle.
The servers have always been the same, and they probably always will, and they'll maybe never crack a smile or even pretend to be social, but they will ALWAYS do right by you.
But you know what? Even though I can find better sides, and more sociable waitstaff, and a closer place that's open better hours (GOD. THE HOURS.), I will STILL keep going back to this place.
*** Allen & Son is the gold standard of barbecue in the Triangle. Barbecue. Not ribs. Not chicken. Not flounder or crab cakes on fish fry Fridays. Barbecue. If you're complaining about anything but the barbecue, you ordered the wrong food. If you're complaining about the barbecue itself, your head needs checked.
Keith Allen still does it old-school. He gets up at ungodly hours and makes wood coals and cooks pig for many, many hours over those wood coals. He may diverge from the Eastern norm in cooking only shoulder (rather than whole-hog), but you'll never hear me complain. Tender, slow-cooked shoulder gets pulled to the right size and consistency, lightly sauced, and served with slaw. You're a fool if you refuse the slaw--kind of unremarkable on its own, but barbecue perfection when eaten in the same mouthful as the pork. The sauce? It doesn't need any, as the hickory smoke flavor is great on its own, but I could bathe in the stuff it's so good.
Plus, the desserts--when they're good, they're phenomenal. Ask what's fresh. Their still-hot sour cherry cobbler with house-made vanilla ice cream has been one of my best experiences: a dreamy marriage of flaky crust, tart fruit that's not from a can, and ice cream that's texturally more like snow cream than anything.
Go. Get barbecue. And slaw. Enjoy. Tip your servers, even if they're a bit gruff. Save room for dessert.
You know, I should have written this on a day they're open, so I wouldn't make myself miserable with this sudden barbecue craving.
*** read this paragraph for the condensed review. -
Review from Charlene G.
Cary, NC
3/24/2012
In the realm of North Carolina BBQ, Allen and Sons are the kings. There is nothing quite like the smokey, vinegary goodness of their chopped pork that has been slow cooked over a real wood fire for hours and hours. I imagine that this must have been what a lot of BBQ tasted like way back in the 40's- but Allen and Sons has outlasted them all because of their special touch and wonderful meats. A simple sandwhich with slaw is the best option for me, but I've tasted the ribs once or twice and they are rich and tender too. The menu has stuff like cheeseburgers, but really- why would you order that here?
At the location in/near Hillsborough (off 86), we always go in to eat. There is plenty of space and the service is always great. I ususally pass on the sweet tea because it is a truly southern recipe- add sugar until the spoon stands up straight on it's own. However, other options are just plain old southern goodness- hush puppies, slaw, and fried okra. Again- why order fries when you can get real food? My husband loves brunswick stew and orders it everywhere- Allen and Sons is his favorite. We also always finish off a meal w/ a cherry cobbler or some kind of pie.
Sometimes it seems like the hours are spotty at this location, but after 10 years we know enough to call before driving the 45 min out for a sandwhich. It's a great place to take any out of town (especially northern) friends and relatives. The decor is all about taxidermy - which cracks me up because I was raised with it. The building itself reminds me of a milk parlour w/ it's concrete block walls and the fact that it's not super bright. However, it's always clean and welcoming.
At the Chapel Hill location, they normally have some good fried pies available. I've never actually eaten in there because they have a great little pick up window where you just order and wait on line for your goodies. There is most often a line, but it's worth the wait. -
Review from Jon T.
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Allen and Sons seems to be on just about everyone's list and it has been on ours to try for a couple of years. We managed to find a table on a Saturday night. I must admit I was expecting a bigger place, perhaps one that had outgrown its origins and built something new, like Southside Market in Elgin Texas. One great thing about Allen and Sons is that it has not seen fit to build a new warehouse-like building and so it retains its charm.
I found this to be great full flavored pork with perfect smoke and some bits of brown. It is a fairly fine chop and is fairly moist with plenty of sauce. I ordered mine as a platter and took my sweet time, enjoying every bite.
A and S serves very good slaw that is well balanced between sweet and tangy. It is really perfect for this style of slaw. The potato salad has a little sweet pickle as evidenced by the hint of cinnamon that comes through. The "pup"s were a little sweet, with some onion and a nice firm texture. The okra was as good as fried okra gets. It was clearly home made from young, tender pods, sliced in small pieces. The flavor of the fresh okra shone through the light coating.
Allen and Son's proved to us why they should be on everyone's list and will remain on ours. They belong in the the premier cru classe of Eastern NC barbecue.Listed in: North Carolina Barbecue
-
Review from Charlie T.
Hillsborough, NC
1/17/2012
The best chopped pork bbq in the Triangle. Period.
Good hushpuppies.
The tea is atypical, and great. Dark in color, very sweet. Reminds me of my Grannie's.
The pies are pretty good, too. I like the chocolate chess and blueberry.
I don't think these guys need the money anymore. At least half of the time I stop they're closed. Call ahead. -
Review from K N.
Chapel Hill, NC
3/19/2012
I know I know. This is supposed to be THE barbecue place in there parts. But the ugly truth is, it's good but not great. Sides are atrocious -- avoid at all costs save the hush puppies. I feel like I've had barbecue that's equally good at Hursey's in Burlington, and a now-shuttered bbq place in Durham whose name I'm forgetting right now.
Also, their wait staff leaves a bit to be desired. The last time I went, our waitress was rude and acted like she was being asked to donate a kidney when we asked for a few more minutes to review the menu.
Finally, this joint is almost never open. You're like "Hey, it's Saturday night, let's go get some 'cue." NOPE. I guess for some people, that is part of the appeal -- the exclusivity factor. For me, I'd rather spend my money where people appreciate my business and the business is actually open at some time other than 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. -
Review from Ron T.
Forest Hills, NY
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I finally made it............
Tried to visit for years, but since we are in NC usually between Christmas & New Years Allen & Son is closed.
Worth the anticipation and the wait....
Loved the North Carolina BBQ. BBQ Plate was perfect the house sauce was delicious, used maybe a third of the bottle. I'm glad I didn't order a sandwich, the meats should be eaten with sauce only. I now understand why Allen & Son is considered one of the flagships for NC BBQ. Damn Good!
The fried catfish was just as compelling as the BBQ, very good. The catfish is not greasy, perfectly fried, super fresh served with homemade tarter sauce and cocktail sauce (both are great,) a real treat. Yummy and I am not usually a fan of catfish.
Hush Puppies are fried sweet & savory goodness. The coleslaw was a perfect compliment to the pork and all the fried food. Yes, the french fries are kinda soggy....we didn't really eat them. Our bellies were getting full anyway.
The chocolate pie and homemade ice cream were good. They were not NYC restaurant to die for but more like southern grandma satisfying.
The sweet tea is an endless cup and it is surprising how much you can drink.
My BBQ/Southern Food jones was so satisfied, that I did not feel compelled to visit any other of my Raleigh Area hit list of local foods. -
Review from Lori L.
10/25/2011
One of my missions for my trip to Raleigh was to experience real Eastern style NC BBQ. Allen & Son's was highly recommended and now I know why.
My cousin and I hauled ass up to Chapel Hill on a Saturday afternoon. When we pulled up it was exactly how I imagined it would be; old looking wooden building with a faded sign. We walked in and it was everything I could hope for; the typical family bbq joint. Servers were bustling about with trays upon trays of mouth watering bbq goodness.
We grab a table and proceed to scan over the menu. This being my first time ordering eastern style BBQ, I was a bit confused with the menu. Do I order a plate vs a sandwich vs a tray? What meat do I exactly get with that order? Our server was very helpful with explaining the menu. I decided to go with the plate. It's a pile of shredded pork, two sides, and some hush puppies. I went with the slaw and potato salad. Both were very good. The highlight was of course the bbq pork. They served a bounty of it. It literally fed me for two more meals. The pork was flavorful and nicely smoked. The vinegar sauce had a good kick to it, which I wasn't expecting. It wasn't spicy enough to prevent me from eating it though.
So my BBQ mission was a success. Allen & Son's is definitely worth the drive from Raleigh. -
Review from Lauren W.
Durham, NC
12/27/2011
This place is a great place. I even had them cater my wedding, in return I had my guest calling me for 2 weeks asking who my caterer was. They have something called the vegetarian casserole that my family goes crazy for (my family, eating vegetables without me begging is funny)
Only con I can think of is the seating area. It is a true BBQ style but I like a little more room when I eat. It just adds to the personality though. -
Review from Carol L.
Pasadena, CA
12/20/2011
I'm from NC but have since moved out to CA. whenever I miss southern bbq, I only think of allen and son...
bbq: smokey, peppery, and tender.
vinegar sauce: perfect balance of sweet and sour, plus a litte kick. its so good that i made my friends ship it to me in california!
hush puppies: full of buttery flavor, perfectly crisp on the outside and moist and dense on the inside. one time i ate this for two meals in one day!
4 stars; only because it feels kinda pricey for the portions. -
Review from Jon M.
10/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
The benchmark for Eastern-style NC BBQ.
All others take note; this place does it all right. The ambiance is exactly what a family BBQ joint should be, the service is so polite... oh... and the food is freaking tasty. In addition to the excellent pork, the sides are so satisfying. This simple BBQ shack is my idea of heaven, and when I get the privilege to visit home, I'll make every effort to swing by.Listed in: BBQ is king
-
Review from Mark S.
3/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best NC style BBQ and Brunswick stew! I always try to make a visit when I'm in Chapel Hill. The wife enjoys the hush puppies and homemade pies. I like it so much, I bought the t-shirt!
-
Review from Tim C.
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hands down the best NC barbecue in Chapel Hill. The pork is so flavorfully smoky, juicy and tender, and with their vinegar-based sauce (vinegary and slightly spicy), it's some of the best barbecue I've ever had.
On top of that, their hushpuppies are just as unique and delicious. There's a starchy sweetness and a lighter-than-normal texture that sets it apart from your normal hushpuppy. The cole slaw is pretty standard.
Their desserts are also tasty - I prefer their pies over their cobblers, but you can't really go wrong with either.
If you go to Allen & Son, get their barbecue. Their other dishes are not bad, but you honestly can't go wrong with the barbecue.Listed in: Chapel Hill, NC, NC Barbecue Trail
-
Review from Fred B.
Greensboro, NC
Updated - 10/5/2011 7 photos
My step-son, who has been in Australia for over 2 years, was in town for a few days, and really wanted to have barbecue as often as possible. Took him to Country Barbecue (on Wendover) for a quick sandwich on the way in from the airport late yesterday afternoon. His sister is having a variety of items from Blue Smoke in Winston for dinner this evening, and it will br 12 Bones in Asheville tomorrow for lunch.
But today we took him to Allen & Son, and the pork was as good as ever, perhaps even the very best I've had here, and that covers a lot of sandwiches, trays, and plates - with a few chili dogs thrown in for good measure. The meat was tender, moist, loaded with smoke, sauced perfectly (for my tastes at least) out of the kitchen. My step-son (this was his first visit here) absolutely loved it.
This is just excellent barbecue (and the chili dog is still very good), and the only difference is that there is less meat on the plate, the tray, and the sandwich - happening everywhere it seems, a sign of the times. The fries here are still god awful, but so what.Listed in: NC BBQ Joints, Best Southern Chili Dog, Best Eastern NC BBQ
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/24/2010
One of My Favorite BBQ Joints: These folks serve good, smokey-flavored pork, coarse chopped (almost… Read more »
-
-
Review from Liz M.
9/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
It took me to move away from Chapel Hill to come here. Yes, that should revoke my NC residency card. Now, I come from a non-vinegar line of thought, but here they cook it to down-right tasty. The hush puppies are the devil's temptation, sent to earth as a gluttonous sin.
We came on a mid-week lunch run, and even still, there were quite a few people in the place. The waitress was nice enough, but not much of a talker. I also really like the location of this place. It would come off as gimmicky on Franklin Street, and the 86 location gives authenticity and honesty of the joint. -
Review from Jay G.
Chapel Hill, NC
4/5/2012
The BBQ is expensive and worth every penny. Take it from me, a certified BBQ judge, it just doesn't get any better than Allen & Son. The BBQ is world-class and the hushpuppies are banging too. The only item on the menu i dont like are the awful french fries. Get potato salad instead. Good luck saving room for desert, but you're in for a treat if you do. Man, I'm getting hungry just thinking about Allen & Son!
-
Review from Monica M.
7/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This quaint little restaurant is definitely one to stop by and visit on your tour of Carolina 'que! It boasts many awards, and when you ask about BBQ in these parts, the name is bound to come up.
It would be fantastic if they'd serve beer. Because really, beer and BBQ are synonymous in most parts of the south. Oh well! We started out with some hushpuppies while we scoured the menu looking for the perfect meal, and as always, they were pretty tasty, but nothing too impressive. We ordered a pulled pork sandwich, and a smoked chicken plate for our meal with a side of baked beans, so we got a pretty good taste of what is on their menu.
The chicken was falling off the bone, and definitely full of flavor. The weird part is, we thought we'd be able to smell hickory smoke in the restaurant, or even outside for how smokey it tasted!
The slaw was really good - coming from someone who typically hates slaw - and the potato salad reminded me of HEB's mustard potato salad (its a Texas thing). I had a taste of the pulled pork too, and it was good.
Definitely not a bad experience either time I've been there - just not too impressive. It may be because I pine for the brisket and sausage from a Texas BBQ joint, but it really feels like the menu was pretty limited. -
Review from Eric L.
Coconut Creek, FL
2/25/2012
Everything they take the time to do, they do exactly right. Just the right amount of vinegar in the cue , magic hush puppies, and the best banana pudding I've ever had.
-
Review from Trevor B.
2/3/2012
One of the few regrets from my 5 years in Chapel Hill is that I didn't discover A&S earlier. This place is heaven for BBQ lovers. The pulled pork is succulent and the hushpuppies were always satisfying. And those little jugs of sweet tea...oh, how I miss them! In addition to the BBQ, I definitely recommend their cheeseburger with chili on top - that was my go-to back in the day.
-
Review from David H.
Raleigh, NC
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
When I moved to NC, all I'd ever hear was North Carolina pulled/chopped pork and how good it was. Well I'm from the west and the vinegar taste doesn't always agree with me. I've tried over a dozen different vinegar based pork sandwiches throughout North Carolina and by far Allen and Son makes the best one! This is definitely a vinegar based pork that I like! A lot!!! The coleslaw works well but if you get it to go, then you'd have to separate the sandwich otherwise it'll be soggy by the time you get home. Also, I I wouldn't order anything else except the pulled pork sandwich. Well maybe the hush puppies. Stick to what they are strong at, the BBQ pork sandwich.
-
Review from David B.
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my first stop in Chapel Hill. Some friends out West mentioned we had to stop here when we were in town, and their recommendation was spot on.
The food was authentic, unpretentious and absolutely delicious. The pulled pork was juicy with plenty of flavor; the hush puppies were light and not overly greasy; and the coleslaw was killer . Make sure to order sweet tea (but I imagine this goes without saying for those who live in the South).
For dessert I ordered the bread pudding, another great dish. My only complaint - I wish it were larger, so good! -
Review from Kelly C.
Jacksonville, FL
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yum! The vinegar-based bbq sauce was exceptional!!!
Had the shredded pork (which didn't come with the sauce but my friend had the bbq ribs so I stole some of the sauce from her) which was pretty good. What I loved were the hushpuppies... those things were really crispy on the outside and nice and sweet.
For the price, it's pretty good... you'll definitely leave satisfied.
Unfortunately, I couldn't try out their dessert cuz we were too full. Next time... -
Review from Steven L.
Charlottesville, VA
visit on 7/19/2011
I think it's been a long while since I've had pork bbq that's tasted like... well... pork. Too often, bbq places cover up the inherently delicious flavor of pork with too much sauce, rub, or even smoke. Fortunately, as I took a bite into the chopped bbq here, I was reminded how much I loved the taste of pork. The coarse-chopped, slow-smoked, pork shoulder at Allen & Son is just about perfect. Moist with a slight smokiness that flavors the meat but does not overpower the flavor of the pork. A few browned pieces of charr add a little bit of crisp and chew to the otherwise melt-in-your-mouth tender meat. I did try adding a little bit of their vinegary sauce which was quite tasty, but this pork 'que held its own without any sauce. Top this delicious pork with some of their slightly tart, refreshing slaw, served on a bun and I've finally begun to understand the meaning of Hog Heaven.
Oh. And a side of delicious crisp hush puppies and your own pitcher of sweet tea? Yes. Please. Thank you.Listed in: The Quest For Great BBQ
-
Review from Arianne T.
Tracy, CA
3/25/2011
My love affair with Yelp started with Allen & Son's. It was the Spring of 2008 and I had been sent to Raleigh for a week long training class. To my disappointment, my classmates opted to eat at chain restaurants.. Red Robin, PF Chang's, you know, food that you can find in almost any city.
Towards the end of the trip, after eating pizza two days in a row for lunch, I suggested BBQ for the 10th time and they finally agreed. Since I had suggested BBQ, they gave me the job of choosing a BBQ restaurant. Little did they know, I had been scoping out Allen & Son's for at least a week on Yelp. I pulled up Yelp, printed directions and we caravaned over.
I have to say, everyone was a little worried when we had gotten off the main road and were on a back road going through a heavily wooded area. We eventually got there and then they were really worried after they got out of the car and saw the place. I could sense the hesitation but we were there so we had to go in.
We were seated at a red checkered picnic covered table and were served sweet tea. Everyone ordered something different (I think there were 8 of us) and we pretty much covered the menu. Despite the location and the looks of the place, everyone was pleasantly surprised with how good the food was.
I had the pulled pork sandwich, with a side of coleslaw, and had the peach cobbler for dessert. No other pulled pork sandwich will ever compare to the one that I had at Allen & Son's. Oh yeah, the vinegar based BBQ sauce deserves a five star rating itself. -
Review from Meghan P.
Cleveland, OH
2/2/2011
Holy cow. Or maybe holy pig. I don't live in NC anymore, but I fell in love with Allen & Son's NC-style BBQ and I crave it so much it hurts.
Before you go, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
1. It is among the holiest of holes-in-the-wall. If you're coming up from Chapel Hill or off of I-40, it's on the left just before the train tracks. It's really hard to see the sign coming from that direction, and yes, it looks more like a shack than a restaurant.
2. If you're expecting something slathered in red, tomato-based sauce, that's not what you're going to get. The BBQ meat is flavorful, vinegary, and unbelievably tender and juicy with just the right amount of smoke. Open your mind and enjoy.
3. Skip the limp fries and go for the hush puppies. They're sweet, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.
4. They do carry out, and it's just as good, as long as you can get it home while it's hot. Just try to stay on the road - it's hard to resist sneaking into the bag for a bite on the way!
Enjoy a good meal for me! -
Review from Jacob C.
Durham, NC
3/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Allen & Son's is what NC BBQ is all about. If you think of yourself as someone who is serious about barbecue and you live within driving distance of the Chapel Hill area, you have to give it a visit. Seriously, the place is that good.
Tucked away in the Carolina pines, Allen & Son's is cooking pig the way it was supposed to be made. The BBQ is tender, juicy and full of flavor. Great coleslaw either as a side or, how I like it, right on top of my chopped pork sandwich. Fried okra is great too.
But seriously, I have to give extra love to my favorite menu item. The hushpuppies people! It's all about the puppies. They have some of the best that I've ever had. These crunchy, sweet balls of fried cornmeal are the perfect complement to anything on the menu. They almost outshine the pork (almost), and that's saying a lot.
By far my favorite place for BBQ in Chapel Hill, or anywhere else for that matter. It has to be on your list of great barbecue joints and is a must stop in the tour of NC BBQ.Listed in: Chapel Hill Restaurants
-
Review from George F.
Stamford, CT
7/25/2011
This is one of those fantastic restaurants that a professional restaurateur just doesn't understand.
Everything is honest. Food made with old recipes. Authentic atmosphere and taste. I always take my visitors to get some bbq, if we have time to go to Allen & Son (it's kind of out of the way), this is the best place, hands down. -
Review from Shannon W.
Chapel Hill, NC
2/2/2011
We came in famished, from a crazy hike where we were lost in the woods for hours. And we left STUFFED. Seafood combo, side order of okra, and split a piece of sweet potato pie. Mmmmm. My friend had said to Mama Dips about the small portions and comparable prices, "MAMA DIPS?! It was more like, Mama Gyps!" (sorry for politically incorrect usage of "gyp" meaning Roma peoples....but this was too funny)
I also went to the other Allen and Son BBQ on 15-501, when I ate pork because of the history of the wood pit BBQ. But then come to find out the one on 15-501 has switched to gas, and this one on 86 has retained the tradition of wood pit.
To tell the truth, although the people at the 86 restaurant were Very Nice--and the food was delicious, because I no longer eat pork--I prefer the other one. I think you get more food at the other restaurant, although slightly more traditional BBQ--the 86 one has crab cake and fancy crab dish, whereas the 15-501 restaurant had a big bucket of fried stuff (most of which was unidentifiable until you bit into it). I bet also, the portions for pork are larger at the 15-501. I also like the seating was only outside at the 15-501 place, and the people were like 150 years old, and also very sweet. The 1`5-501 place played old fiddle music while the 86 played my favorite 80's hard-rock and soft rock mix...
So depending upon your mood, take my advice on either place. Either, you're in for a wonderful meal, with reasonable prices. Matters if you like girth of food over fancy. -
Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
12/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
How can you even begin to review a legend in the local and national food scene? Here are one native North Carolinian's impressions...
*table service -- unique, refreshing
*country kitchen decor is a perfect setting for this Southern fare
*SMOKED MEAT: I :finally: can taste the difference!
*pulled pork in a zesty Eastern Carolina style vinegar sauce
*hushpuppies that WILL change your life -- perfectly fried crust that gives way to a sweet doughy center
*banana pudding that is ideal for this winter weather -- warm and spiked with spice. Decadent but oh-so-homemade (the best food foil)!Listed in: Chapel Hill, my best of, Carolina 'Cue
