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| - Charlotte gets the short end of the stick when it comes to BBQ. There are a few places left, but nothing outstanding. Except for Bill Spoon's. It's the only BBQ worth eating in the city. Other restaurants like BBQ King or Bubba's can fill in when Bill's isn't open, but nothing satisfies or comes close like Bill Spoon's.
This is a gem that is overlooked in the discussion of great BBQ. I don't know why it isn't part of the NC BBQ Society's BBQ trail but it deserves to be. Bill's is a Charlotte institution. They're only open for lunch and I guess that model has served them well. The restaurant is currently run by Bill's grandson and according to everything I've heard, he hasn't changed anything. You still get the same friendly service with a smile, a good conversation, and are treated like family, not a customer. Bill was famous for his love of people and his belief that everyone deserved a good meal. That philosophy continues today and is part of the reason I keep going back. It's like going home.
The pulled pork is excellent. There is always plenty of food, the ice tea is the best I've ever had, and the sauce is, in my opinion, a model for how eastern style sauce should taste. Don't miss the banana pudding for desert. I heard that they use an electric smoker for their meat. I don't know if this is true, but the meat is good enough to stand up on its own. There isn't the smell of Hickory when you're there, so an electric smoker might not be all that far fetched. Unlike most places, Bill's cooks whole hogs, not just shoulders and butts. You can taste the difference in the meat when it comes from the whole hog.
This is a place that is worth making a special point to go to.
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