History

Wayne Monk opened Lexington Barbecue (Honey Monk's) 60 miles north of Charlotte in 1962, cementing the style of chopped pork shoulder over hickory with tomato-vinegar sauce. The Piedmont style coexists with Eastern North Carolina's whole-hog vinegar style, and the two BBQ schools have argued for a century.

Make it at home

Yield 8Hands-on 45 minTotal 12 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 1 pork shoulder, bone-in, about 4 to 5 kg
  • Dry rub: 3 tablespoons coarse salt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • Hickory wood chunks for smoking
  • Lexington sauce: 240ml apple cider vinegar
  • 60ml water
  • 4 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Red slaw: half a small cabbage shredded, 120ml apple cider vinegar, 4 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt

Method

  1. Rub the pork shoulder all over with the dry rub. Refrigerate uncovered for 12 hours.
  2. Heat the smoker to 105 to 110 degrees Celsius (220 to 230 Fahrenheit) with hickory wood chunks. Smoke the shoulder for 8 to 10 hours, refreshing wood every 90 minutes.
  3. Pull the shoulder when the internal temperature hits 92 degrees Celsius (200 Fahrenheit). Rest in foil for 1 hour.
  4. Chop the meat with a cleaver or two forks. Mix with half the Lexington sauce.
  5. Make the red slaw by combining the cabbage with vinegar, ketchup, sugar and salt. Toss and rest 1 hour.
  6. Serve the chopped pork on a soft white bun with red slaw and extra sauce.

Tip from the editors. Hardwood charcoal works if hickory chunks are not available. Substitute oak as a softer-smoke alternative.

Where to eat lexington-style pork bbq

Lexington-style pork BBQ in Charlotte

Sweet Lew's BBQ ★ 4.5

American BBQ$$belmontMon-Wed 11:00-20:00; Thu-Sat 11:00-21:00; Sun 11:00-18:00

Sweet Lew's BBQ in Belmont is Lewis Donald's wood-smoked Carolina BBQ counter, smoking whole pork shoulders, brisket and house sausages on a quiet street.

Why locals love it: A counter-service BBQ room on a quiet Belmont street, easy to drive past unless you're looking for it.

Tip: Get there before noon. The meats sell through by mid-afternoon.

923 Belmont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Noble Smoke at Optimist Hall ★ 4.3

Street food$south-endMon-Sun 11:00-21:00

Noble Smoke at Optimist Hall is Charlotte's hickory-smoked-BBQ counter, with pulled pork, brisket and Southern sides served quick-service at the food hall.

Try: Wood-smoked BBQ

Order: A two-meat plate of pulled pork and brisket with one side.

Tip: Get there before noon on weekends; the BBQ sells through Cash typically expected.

1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

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