Tucked along Highway 70 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Wilber’s Barbecue has been serving up some of the most beloved comfort food in the South since 1962. While the whole-hog pit-cooked pork gets plenty of praise, there is one dish that keeps locals and travelers coming back again and again: the baked BBQ chicken smothered in a rich, savory gravy.
That gravy has taken on a life of its own, winning fans who pour it over hush puppies, potatoes, and just about everything else on the plate. Read on to discover the 13 things that make Wilber’s baked BBQ chicken and its famous gravy so unforgettable.
The Legend of Wilber’s Baked BBQ Chicken
Back in 1962, Wilber Shirley opened a little barbecue spot on Highway 70 in Goldsboro that would quietly become one of North Carolina’s most treasured food landmarks. The baked BBQ chicken was part of the menu from the early days, and its reputation has only grown stronger over the decades.
What makes it stand out is simple: the chicken is slow-baked until tender and then paired with a deeply savory gravy that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Customers who have been eating here since childhood now bring their own kids to experience the same flavors they grew up loving.
One longtime customer even mentioned moving to Goldsboro at age 18 and becoming instantly hooked on the baked chicken and its gravy. That kind of loyalty says everything about how special this dish truly is.
What Makes the Gravy So Incredibly Rich
Ask anyone who has eaten at Wilber’s and they will bring up the gravy almost immediately. It is the kind of sauce that stops a conversation mid-sentence because the flavor is just that good.
Warm, savory, and perfectly loose, it coats every bite without feeling heavy or overwhelming.
The gravy carries a depth that comes from years of perfecting a recipe rooted in Eastern North Carolina cooking traditions. It is not spicy, not overly sweet, and not trying too hard to be anything other than exactly what it is: a deeply comforting, flavorful companion to the baked chicken.
One reviewer described it as the perfect counterpoint to the crispy hush puppies, calling it warm and savory with just enough looseness to moisten each bite. When a gravy earns that kind of poetic praise, you know it is doing something very right.
Hush Puppies and Gravy: A Match Made in the South
Every table at Wilber’s starts with a basket of hush puppies and a bowl of that legendary gravy, and many guests say this free starter alone is worth the trip. The hush puppies arrive golden and crispy on the outside, soft and slightly chewy on the inside, practically begging to be dunked.
Pairing them with the chicken gravy is one of those combinations that feels obvious once you try it but completely blows your mind the first time. The crunch of the hush puppy soaking up that rich, savory gravy creates a texture and flavor experience that is hard to put into words.
Multiple reviewers have called this combination their favorite part of the meal, with one guest admitting they poured the gravy over everything else on their plate too. At Wilber’s, the gravy is not just a topping, it is a way of life.
The Whole-Hog Pit Tradition Behind Every Plate
Understanding what makes Wilber’s food special means understanding the process behind it. Out back, split oak logs are stacked daily, burned down into glowing coals, and then shoveled by hand into the smokehouse pits where whole hogs cook low and slow.
This is not a shortcut operation.
The brick walls of the smokehouse have turned a deep, glossy black from decades of smoke, a visual testament to how long this tradition has been running. The longtime pitmaster reportedly refuses to cook by the clock, instead judging doneness by the sound and look of dripping fat hitting the coals below.
That same care and attention to detail flows into every plate that leaves the kitchen, including the baked chicken. When a restaurant puts this much heart into its process, the food on your plate carries that story in every single bite.
You can taste the craft.
A Quarter Chicken Plate Worth Ordering
The quarter chicken plate is one of the most popular ways to enjoy Wilber’s famous baked BBQ chicken, and it is easy to see why. You get a generous portion of slow-baked chicken paired with your choice of sides, all brought together by that signature gravy that ties the whole plate into something cohesive and satisfying.
One reviewer ordered the quarter chicken plate and noted that the BBQ at Wilber’s is actually baked chicken served with gravy, which is different from what many people expect when they see the word barbecue on a menu. That distinction is important because it sets Wilber’s apart from every other BBQ joint in the region.
The result is chicken that is tender and moist from slow baking, topped with a gravy that adds richness and depth. Pair it with mac and cheese or BBQ potatoes and you have a plate that is hard to walk away from.
The Combo Plate Experience at Wilber’s
If you cannot decide between the baked chicken and the famous chopped pork, the combo plate at Wilber’s is your answer. It lets you sample multiple proteins alongside a selection of classic Southern sides, giving you the full picture of what this restaurant does best.
One loyal customer who had been visiting since the 1970s described ordering the combo plate with baked chicken, chicken gravy, boiled potatoes, and slaw during a recent visit. His verdict?
Better than he ever remembered it from years ago, which is a remarkable thing to say about a place you have loved for decades.
The combo plate is also a great way to introduce first-time visitors to Wilber’s range of flavors. From the smoky chopped pork to the tender baked chicken bathed in gravy, every element of the plate works together to tell the story of Eastern North Carolina barbecue at its finest.
Classic Eastern NC Sides That Complete the Meal
Great sides are not an afterthought at Wilber’s. They are a deliberate part of the dining experience, carefully chosen to balance and complement the richness of the baked chicken and its gravy.
The coleslaw, for example, is the classic Eastern NC style: green cabbage, vinegar-bright with just enough mayo to hold it together.
Reviewers have also raved about the collard greens, butter beans, chicken salad, baked sweet potato, and BBQ potatoes. One guest described the BBQ potatoes as soft and comforting, carrying a faint background note of smoke that echoed the pit without competing with the main dish.
Vegetables are sourced from local farmers when possible, giving the sides a freshness that mass-produced alternatives simply cannot match. Whether you load up on collards or go for the classic potato salad, the sides at Wilber’s are built to make every bite of that baked chicken taste even better.
The Smokehouse Tour That Guests Cannot Stop Talking About
One of the most unexpected and memorable parts of visiting Wilber’s has nothing to do with the menu. Willis Underwood, part of the local group that brought Wilber’s back after it briefly closed in 2019, has become known for personally walking guests through the smokehouse to show them exactly how the magic happens.
Reviewers have described this tour as a highlight of their entire trip to North Carolina, not just their meal. Watching the process of burning oak down to coals, shoveling those coals under the hogs, and understanding how the pitmaster reads the fire by sound and sight is genuinely jaw-dropping.
One couple called it the best part of their entire month-long tour of North Carolina. The fact that the owner takes time to share this tradition with curious guests says a lot about the culture Wilber’s has built around its food and its history.
Friendly Service That Makes Every Visit Feel Special
Food this good deserves service to match, and Wilber’s consistently delivers on that front. Reviewers have singled out staff members by name, with server Heather earning multiple mentions for being patient, knowledgeable, and attentive in a way that feels genuinely caring rather than rehearsed.
One guest noted that Heather never let a glass get below half full before checking in, had a recommendation ready for every question, and made the entire table feel like regulars even on a first visit. Another reviewer compared the overall service level to Chick-fil-A, which is high praise for hospitality in the South.
The hostess at Wilber’s has also been known to offer pit tours to first-time visitors after the waiter quietly lets her know it is their first experience there. Small gestures like that transform a meal into a memory, and Wilber’s staff seems to understand that better than most.
The Famous BBQ Sauce That Goes With Everything
Alongside the legendary chicken gravy, Wilber’s house-made BBQ sauce has developed its own devoted fan base. It is a classic Eastern North Carolina vinegar-based sauce with just the right amount of pepper and tang to cut through the richness of the slow-cooked meats without overpowering them.
One enthusiastic customer placed a double box order online and was thrilled to find bonus items tucked inside the package. Their review was practically a love letter to the sauce, calling it something they wanted to share with everyone they cared about.
That kind of reaction does not happen by accident.
The sauce is also available for purchase, and guests regularly stock up before heading home. Whether you drizzle it over the baked chicken, mix it into the chopped pork, or just use it as a dipping sauce for hush puppies, Wilber’s BBQ sauce is the kind of condiment that earns permanent shelf space in your kitchen.
House-Made Desserts Worth Saving Room For
After a plate of baked BBQ chicken with gravy and a basket of hush puppies, you might think there is no room left for dessert. Think again.
Wilber’s rounds out the meal with house-made desserts that have earned their own loyal following among regulars and first-time visitors alike.
One reviewer specifically called out the desserts as amazing, noting that everything is made in-house rather than sourced from a supplier. That commitment to scratch cooking carries through from the smokehouse all the way to the dessert menu, which is exactly the kind of consistency that keeps people coming back.
After a meal built on tradition, technique, and genuine care, a homemade dessert feels like the perfect ending. It is the kind of sweet finish that lingers in your memory long after the drive home, giving you one more reason to mark Wilber’s on your map for the next visit.
Location, Hours, and How to Plan Your Visit
Planning a trip to Wilber’s is straightforward once you know the schedule. The restaurant is located at 4172 US-70 in Goldsboro, NC, making it an easy stop for anyone traveling through Eastern North Carolina on Highway 70.
The address puts it right along a classic stretch of road that has seen generations of barbecue lovers roll through.
Wilber’s is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Monday and Tuesday are closed, so plan accordingly if you are making a special trip just for the baked chicken and gravy.
Pricing is affordable, which makes Wilber’s accessible for families, solo travelers, and road-trippers alike. You can also call ahead at 919-778-5218 or visit wilbersbbq.com for more information.
With a 4.3-star rating from over 1,400 reviews, the reputation speaks for itself.
Why Wilber’s Baked BBQ Chicken Belongs on Every Food Bucket List
Some restaurants feed you. Others leave a mark on you.
Wilber’s Barbecue in Goldsboro falls firmly into that second category, and the baked BBQ chicken with its famous gravy is the dish that best captures why this place has survived and thrived for over six decades.
From the hand-shoveled oak coals in the smokehouse to the warm bowl of gravy that greets you at the table before you even order, every element of the Wilber’s experience feels intentional. It is not trying to be trendy or modern.
It is simply committed to doing one thing extraordinarily well, and that authenticity is increasingly rare.
Food writers, travel bloggers, and everyday diners keep putting Wilber’s on their must-visit lists for good reason. If you find yourself anywhere near Goldsboro on a Wednesday through Sunday, do yourself a favor and pull into that parking lot on Highway 70.
You will not regret it.
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