In North Carolina, barbecue gets the headlines, but the dessert cup at the end of the tray often gets the last word. Banana pudding is the quiet star at plenty of smokehouses across the state, from Piedmont lunch counters to mountain shacks with picnic tables.
This list covers seven barbecue joints where the pudding is a big part of the reason people keep coming back. Save it for your next road trip, and leave a little room after the brisket.
1. THE SMOKE PIT, Concord, NC
Sweet potato waffle fries dusted with sugar are a pretty good sign that a barbecue spot takes the sweet side of the menu seriously. At The Smoke Pit on Concord Parkway North, that instinct carries all the way to dessert.
The menu leans country-style, with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, wings, and Southern sides. Bigger appetites can look at the Large Texas Brisket Plate, the Burnt Ends Sandwich, or the Brisket Super Spud.
Then comes the banana pudding, which sits right on the menu highlights next to the pulled pork that regulars brag about. The two make a classic pairing, and plenty of folks treat them as one order.
The dining room is comfortable rather than fancy, with plastic tableware and generous portions. Expect a short wait, especially Saturday afternoons, since reservations are not taken.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and it is closed Sunday. Weekday afternoons are usually calmer if you want to linger over that pudding cup.
2. Prime Barbecue, Knightdale, NC
Lunch-only hours tend to sort out the serious barbecue fans from the casual ones. Prime Barbecue in Knightdale opens Tuesday through Saturday, closing between 3 and 5 PM depending on the day, and the line forms anyway.
Brisket is the headliner here, joined by pulled pork, smoked turkey, pork ribs, beef ribs, and even whole pig. Chicken fried steak and a sweet potato salad add some range.
Dessert holds its own against all that meat. The banana pudding is a favorite finish, and a blueberry cobbler a la mode and Texas Cobbler give you a second sweet option to argue about.
Service is at the counter, and ordering ahead can save time on a busy Saturday. Dogs are welcome inside and out, and there is outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and live music on the calendar.
I would plan this one for a weekday, when the wait is lighter and you can try brisket, slaw, and pudding without watching the clock.
3. The Redneck BBQ Lab, Benson, NC
Road trippers on Interstate 95 have a reason to detour onto NC-210. The Redneck BBQ Lab sits between Benson and Smithfield in Johnston County, and it is open seven days a week.
The setup is rustic and counter-serve, with a drive-through for anyone in a hurry. Pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chopped chicken, and cornbread anchor the menu, while jalapeno mac and cheese brings a little kick.
The house sauce runs sweet without much heat, and you can take home a pint of Texas Hot Mess Sawse. There is even a Burnt Ends T-shirt, which tells you the crew has a sense of humor.
Banana pudding is the dessert that regulars insist you order. It rounds out a plate that tends to stay easy on the wallet, often in the $10 to $20 range.
Hours are 11 AM to 7 PM most days, stretching to 8 PM Friday and Saturday.
4. Haywood Smokehouse, Waynesville, NC
Brisket in a quesadilla is not exactly standard mountain fare, and that is part of the fun at Haywood Smokehouse. The Waynesville spot mixes classic smokehouse plates with a few playful twists.
Signature brisket shows up in burgers, a Texas Melt, and those quesadillas. The Fine Swine, a 3-Meat Combo, mac and cheese, and Brunswick soup round out the lineup.
Dessert is where many tables slow down. The banana pudding gets plenty of attention, and it makes a fine reward after a day exploring Haywood County.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome. Unlike many barbecue joints, this one accepts reservations, which helps on busy Saturdays.
It opens Wednesday through Saturday, so plan around those days. Fall leaf season is a natural time to stop in Waynesville.
5. Big Mikes BBQ, Mills River, NC
Two desserts on one barbecue menu can cause real debates at the table. Big Mikes BBQ in Mills River offers both banana pudding and smoked apple pie, and the pudding usually wins.
Wood-smoked meats are the focus, with brisket, ribs, and pulled pork leading the way. Homemade sides include potato salad, collard greens, and a mac and cheese with a bit of bite.
The menu has fun with its names too. Look for The Slop Bucket, Smokehouse Tacos, and Brisket Mac and Cheese alongside wing and burger baskets.
It is a lively spot that often hosts live music and works well for watching a game. Families find high chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday until 9 PM. Its spot between Asheville and Hendersonville makes it an easy stop.
6. Smokey and the Pig, Fairview, NC
A little country shack with a few picnic tables can still draw a crowd. Smokey and the Pig on Charlotte Highway in Fairview is that kind of old-school barbecue stand.
The banana pudding has a strong following here. Regulars bring it up almost as often as the meat, which says a lot.
Beef ribs come by the full rack, and spare rib plates, brisket, and chicken fill out the smoked side. Hush puppies, white cheddar mac and cheese, loaded potato salad, coleslaw, and cucumber salad cover the sides.
Pair it all with sweet tea, which is poured at a proper Southern level of sweetness. The mood is quiet and casual.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 11 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday until 4 PM. It is closed Sunday.
7. Luella’s Bar-B-Que, Asheville, NC
Seven-day hours are a rare luxury in the barbecue world. Luella’s Bar-B-Que in south Asheville serves from 11 AM to 9 PM every day, so a pudding craving never has to wait.
The setting is homey, and the meats come with housemade sauces. The Big Boy’s Blue Ribbon BBQ Sampler is a smart pick for first-timers who want a little of everything.
Hush puppies are a common side, and kids get their own menu, including a mac and cheese option. The staff are known for helping newcomers sort out the menu.
Then there is the banana pudding, creamy and a go-to way to end the meal. It is the dessert people tell visiting relatives to order.
Find it at 33 Town Square Blvd in Asheville, with outdoor seating and free parking nearby. That makes it an easy close to this banana pudding tour across North Carolina.
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