Johnson Family Barbecue
| Address: | 5021 Wake Forest Hwy, Durham, NC 27703, USA |
| Phone: | +1 919-397-5693 |
| Site: | johnsonfamilybbq.com |
| Rating: | 4.6 |
| Working: | Closed 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 17
GA
Garrett Cramer
This is possibly the best bbq Ive ever had. This place makes it all from scratch. I know this because the owners are so proud of their work they love to tell everyone how they do it. I had pulled pork, the sauce is great. I had the brisket, a Wednesday special that takes the 20 hours to cook (see above on why I know). Being from Texas this brisket needed no sauce, but being a sauce lover I could eat the sauce with a spoon and a smile. Lets not forget the supporting cast the side dishes. The spicy mac n cheese, and collard greens are a must, so are the potato salad and slaw. Just see if theyll give you a plate with them all. The place is small, very clean, and very friendly "staff".
OR
Orlando Rosario
Ive now eaten here a few times and tried multiple menu items. Ive lived in NC for 7 years and made a mission to try out all bbq. First this place has an excellent smoker and great chopped q. The flavor is all hickory smoke and i only have to add a little sauce for that vinegar tang. They do cook in limited batches and will run out so get there early. The slaw is really good, reminds me of kfc but fresher. Hush puppies are perfect and i normally dont eat hush puppies.. I once ordered fried chicken. They asked me to wait. I watched the chef quarter and cut a whole fresh chicken, milk it bread it and fry it. It was soooo good and fresh. Best i have had in a long time.
KR
Kristen Schimmel
OMG! SO FREAKING GOOD! I just randomly stoped in to get my 5 yr old a bite to eat before hitting the highway for a trip. This kids never eats anything. And for him to eat an entire chopped pork sandwich, it had to be good. I took one of the droppings from the sandwich and OMG!! That is some of the best pork bbq I have tasted in along time. I went back in to get a pound to take back home to Charlotte. If you havent been or on the fence about going....GO! I didnt try anything else, but even if you just go for the meat...you wont be disappointed. I wish I had 10 stars to give. Might have to make the 4 hour trip more often to get more and put it in the freezer for later.
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Lillian Hagmann
This is super close to my old place. The chicken was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The Mac and cheese was done well, but not my preferred sauce consistency. Collards were nicely spiced and not at all bitter. Hush puppies were above average. Pork was really good... I would say its my 2nd favorite and I would recommend trying it. Just be aware they are closed Mondays and the line to order goes in front of the soda machine so you will be in the way the whole time.
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Heather G
My family and I frequent Johnsons because: 1. Its really close to our house and 2. Its very good bbq. They just started doing brisket on Wednesday nights and I have to say the brisket is amazing. Rib night is on Thursday night. They have been known to run out about 2-3 hours from opening (5pm). This place is truly a mom and pop BBQ place. They make as much as they can on the grill each day and once theyre out, theyre out. So at least you know its fresh each day.
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Roger Townley
I found this place by accident and Im glad I did. Great tasting eastern NC barbecue which would have been better if it had been hot instead of barely warm. The Brunswick Stew is top-notch and the collards without peer. The most surprising and best feature was the vinegar based sauce. I have been enjoying this style of barbecue since 1977 and this is the best sauce I have tried anywhere. I will definitely return on my next trip to Durham - it is worth the drive.
AT
Aturio Rose
This is the best Barbecue Resturant my wife and I tasted in the Carolinas!! I am overly joyful that Ive found a restaurant that makes me smile with each bite into that "wood grilled barbeque juicy chicken soaked with delicious special sauce", makes my mouth water each time I think about the plate, also the collard green is great but those hush puppies is toooo daaaAaaaRNn GOOD to share!! My family have discovered a new place called home with the Johnsons!!
WI
Will Lloyd
Without a doubt the best Q in the Durham area. BBQ is hickory wood smoked, sauce is top notch (both the vinegar based Q sauce and slightly thicker, spicy sauce for the BBQ chicken and ribs). Found it for the first time when I moved back in town from Phoenix about 6 months ago, and have been about once a week since. Love it! Also, just found out Thurs is rib night. Yeah, that is completely worth it!!!
DA
Dale Ross
I liked it a lot; Id give 4.5 if I could. Brisket was just a little short. It was a little dry, maybe slightly overcooked. But at least there still was some fat. Flavor was excellent, good but of smoke. Their smokey Memphis sauce a nice touch. The pork is a similar story. Theyre vinegar sauce s nice. No banana pudding today :(
DA
Dan DeForge
My family has tried breakfast, lunch and dinner especially Thursday night "Rib Night". Its not fast food, and its not attached to a gas station, its just in the same building. Truely a "mom and pop" local place, which is why I dine there. Food flavor varies a bit, but that is expected.
ER
Erik Raudsep
This is the best BBQ I have found in town I have been there over and over. I have read some of the reviews on other sites and it seems the owner can be a bit salty with his language but I have never heard it. It still remains that this is the BEST BBQ in town.
RA
Ralph Radford
We had chopped chicken and chopped pork. It was very good, strong smoke flavor. Potato salad was just like mamas. Brunswick stew was OK, this is why I gave them a 4. Service was very friendly and accommodating. Will go back next time in the area.
CL
Clint Blackburn
The BBQ is real good. It has a real good smokey flavor to it, which you dont get at a lot of places. There is not a great selection of sides, but what they do have is good. The only drawback is that it is a very small place. I will be back!
DR
Drew Stowell
Good Eastern NC barbecue. The meat has a good, smokey flavor to it, the collards are tasty without being soggy, and the hush puppies are quality. The place is small and the prices are reasonable. Will definitely eat here again.
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Robert Soucy
Ive been coming here for several years. There is literally nothing bad on the menu. My personal favorite are the ribs. The rib sauce is nothing short of amazing. If they open up again for brunch, try the BBQ omelet.
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Jeff Schmidt
Delicious wood smoked barbecue! Had the pulled pork sandwich with spicy mac and cheese. Mac wasnt great, but the pork was smokey and nicely sauced, excellent NC bbq. My wifes baked beans were tasty. Will be back soon!
AD
Adam Little
This is BBQ. I am from NC and a BBQ snob. There is a certain smell when it is real, walk through the door and you know. Very good. So all you Yankees looking for "real" NC BBQ, this is it.
