No recent reviews and some of these are not really accurate so wanted to put an update in.
This place is not in the boonies, it’s very close to East Chapel Hill HS. It’s not a dump - it’s not fancy but in a small strip mall, counter service with visible kitchen area. Handful of tables inside and some picnic tables with sunshade outside. Hush puppies are *not* GF.
GF options are quite limited and noted on the menu (can view online). A couple of salads, the BBQ and pork ribs, coleslaw, potato salad and pickles. That’s about it. Menu does says you can get GF “loaf bread” for a BBQ sandwich.
Shared fryer, so not much else for those who need “true GF”.
BBQ plate was tasty enough if you’re hankering for pulled pork. Comes with eastern style cider-vinegar. They do also offer western style sauce but I didn’t ask if it was GF. My wife got a salad which was a bit underwhelming.
Friendly enough place, if cross contamination is a concern I would definitely make that clear when you order.
— Somewhat
— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu
— Not Much
— Good
Traveling through North Carolina on I-85 on my way to Southbury, CT when I decided to see what appeared on my FMGF app and saw The Pig as an option. I love BBQ and the reviews indicated that this might be a good place to enjoy lunch.
It's somewhat out in the "boonies" but in a nice area. I was looking for a shack because of what one person said, but the place is actually in a small business complex as one of those businesses.
Very friendly server, who, when I said I'd need GF options, told me what was good, even suggesting a sandwich with GF bun. He did tell me that if I was a Celiac that I should NOT have the hush puppies. He compensated me for not having these by giving more slaw.
The pulled pork had a nice flavor with not too much smoke. It was very tender. Their BBQ sauce is decent. They also had a vinegar sauce that I guess people use in place of the normal sauce. I didn't try that. The slaw wasn't made with mayonnaise like I'm accustomed to having. This was made with a vinegar sauce, perhaps the same as that on the tables to use over the meat. Also coming with the plate was some homemade pickles that were slightly sweet, but not overly so. I added salt to fit my taste buds. Overall, it was an excellent meal, but I had hoped to have the hush puppies.
As we ate our lunch we saw quite a few people enter and order meals. The place filled up quickly to near standing room only inside. They do have an outside area that's covered. Not a lot of frills, but worth the stop. Being from Utah I can't get BBQ of this quality, so I will miss not having access to a restaurant like this to satisfy my urges for good BBQ. Perhaps if I am again traveling by road through the Chapel Hill area I'll plan on stopping again.
Yes
Enjoyed the Carolina BBQ, and the staff was helpful and knew their menu well for answering GF allergy questions. Lots of GF to meet our needs.
Exceptional bbq. Menu clearly marked with gf items. Place kind of a dump. Hush puppies not gf or marked such on menu
update: hushpuppies are now gf
Pretty darn good bbq. Staff was happy to chat about gf food.
good GF options and the waiter was knowledgeable on the subject. delicious food as well! GF drink options too, either beer or cider
i've eaten here quite a few times and always leave enamored. NC pork BBQ w/ vinegar-based sauce should be GF unless someone has seriously screwed with pefection. i also have never found slaw that is not GF, so throughout NC, BBQ and slaw are a safe GF standby option for me. but NO hushpuppies and make sure to tell them up front you want them on a separate plate for a friend or none at all to avoid cross contamination.
Yes
I was initially put off by the staff's casual and almost dismissive attitude about my allergy. it concerned me so much I didn't order anything and told my boyfriend to go ahead and eat his fill and I would get something elsewhere. everything changed when he coerced me to try a bite of the BBQ (confirmed gluten free by another reviewer) and I died. it was unlike anything I had ever had and suddenly my lack of carb options became a moot point as I proceeded to order a huge plate of the stuff with homemade pickles and slaw. omg. I don't know what they do to that pork but im not even a pork fan and it was the best I'd ever had. If the staff were a little more informed or serious about accommodating food allergies it would be five stars. I asked if their fries were safe and the guy behind the counter shrugged and said "sure." I then asked if they fried it with other gluten items and he laughed and said "oh yeah, definitely." I dunno, I thought that was lame, but the food absolutely rocks.
bbq is gluten free and made with local pork!