Prime Barbecue — Restaurant in Knightdale

So good! I’m not a huge BBQ fan, but my fiancé is. We moved to NC from Ohio about 6 months ago and live so close but this was our first time visiting! Either because every time we tried, the line was out the door and through the patio onto the sidewalk, they were sold out, or we just didn’t go out haha. This time the line was just outside the door - we waited for about 45 minutes but it was worth it! Short version of review - we will be bringing our friends that visit us from Ohio to try this place! Longer / detailed version: What I got - Two Meat Plate with pulled pork and brisket. Came with 2 sides, I chose Sweet Potato Salad and Baked Beans. Sweet tea (they have the ‘good’ ice!), and Texas Cobbler (comes with Blue Bell Ice Cream 🤤) What he got - Three Meat Plate with whole hog, brisket, and ribs. His two sides were mac and cheese and creamed corn. He got a local pale ale and the Chocolate Chess Mini Pie. This all together was pretty pricey. Which we expected. We just HAD to try as much as possible, and we have leftovers… we’ll, I do haha! Brisket - we both LOVED it! So good! They ask if you want it sliced or chopped. If you say sliced be prepared to answer if you like it sliced thicker or more on the thin side - with the meat plates, they weight out the meat so it’s truly just a preference. Ribs - he really liked the cook and the crisp skin - he said the flavor was unique but good. I did not think it was anything special (remember - I’m not a huge fan of BBQ / Smoked meats!), BUT I did like the texture and tenderness! Whole hog - he LOVED it. He wants more right now and he can barely move! Pulled Pork - so delicious! So tender, so much flavor, absolutely perfect! We both agree on this! Mac and cheese - DELICIOUS. I’m picky about thick Mac and cheese, and thought it was to die for - he agreed! Creamed corn - we were impressed because We had low expectations, and it’s better than the creamed corn in a can mom gave us growing up 🤣 Baked beans - we both agreed; SO GOOD. Sweet Potato Salad - refreshing and light, very different. Cobbler - BOMB. Warm, and the perfect amount of sweet. I’ll be dreaming about it I’m sure! Mini Pie - SO good. It’s almost like a cookie cake ‘crust’ and melts in your mouth like pudding. Next time we won’t order as much, but we loved the entire environment, the staff, the cleanliness, the set up,...

I have NEVER given an establishment 5 stars on everything but I remain pleasantly astonished at Prime Barbecue in Knightdale. Before I ever got out of my car the mouthwatering smell of smoking wood and delectable grilled meats wafted into my nostrils. Oh my Lord!!! Amaaaaaazing!!!! Before I even got to the door I noticed how clean and fresh the exterior of the building is. I even noticed a kids play area tucked away near the outdoor seating! I was met at the door by Joshua who immediately held the door open for me and my friend and greeted us with MOST genuine hello and welcome I’ve ever heard. The inside of the building—IMMACULATE!!! The lighting, the design all get a chef’s kiss!!! No sticky or wobbly tables. No sticky floors or suspect ketchup containers. No smell of sour mop water. Just BBQ!!! They even have two gorgeous cast iron trough sinks to wash your hands!!! There’s a simple menu but when you see all of the glorious food before you you may end up like me and my friend…stumped!!! No worries because Randy and Joshua were super helpful AND PATIENT while helping us decide. The meat is cut on demand and not precut and set under a heat lamp to dry out. The meat was glistening with juiciness and the sides were piping hot. I ordered the pulled pork with Cole slaw and a huge loaded baked potato. My friend had the brisket and baked beans oooooh my!!! My pulled pork melted in my mouth! No fat. All meat. Adding the coleslaw is a must!!! The potato is enormous and so gratifying. So buttery and delicious. I’m in love with this place!! You can see the chef at the smoker and even Joshua came through to see if we were happy or needed anything! They made us feel like we were the only customers there and we were important to them!!!! As if it couldn’t get better, the manager, Marcus, came through the restaurant and he spoke to us. We had THE BEST most inspiring conversation with him and it is abundantly clear that every aspect of this restaurant has been carefully thought out. In talking to Marcus his love of what he does and his respect for his employees was heartwarming. Did I mention that this restaurant even has a Chef’s Table for military!!! I love everything about this place!!! I will be back and I will gladly pay whatever they want because the food is INCREDIBLE!!!!! Btw, prices are really affordable and servings...

Overall Score: 9.2/10 – A must-visit BBQ spot with exceptional food quality, standout meats, and a clean, welcoming atmosphere. Despite the long wait times and minor misses, this is a top-tier BBQ experience.

Atmosphere and Service: 8.8/10 – The restaurant is large and spotless, including the kitchen, which is impressive for a BBQ spot. While the indoor seating could be more plentiful, the outdoor seating and hangout area make it a great family-friendly environment. The staff is incredibly nice and accommodating. The biggest drawback is the long line, which often takes 20+ minutes. Quick Online ordering, tablet orders or a separate prep station could significantly improve efficiency.

BBQ Ribs: 9.1/10 – These ribs are phenomenal, with bold seasoning that enhances every bite. The meat is tender, perfectly cooked, and falls right off the bone. Highly recommended for anyone visiting.

Brisket: 8.7/10 – Available chopped, cut, or lean, and even mixed with BBQ sauce. The brisket is perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and showcases great quality. A standout option on the menu.

Homemade Sausage: 9.1/10 – The sausage is impeccable, with a perfect texture and seasoning that sets it apart. Its house-made quality shines through, and it pairs wonderfully with sides like rice or beans.

Texas Twinkies: 9.4/10 – A menu highlight with just the right level of spice, offering a satisfying kick without being overwhelming. The filling is a perfect blend of flavors, leaving you wanting more. Perfectly cooked and absolutely worth trying.

Sides: 8.3/10 – The baked beans are flavorful and complement the meats well. The BBQ rice is good but could benefit from being saucier, as it felt slightly dry and bland. At $10 for a pint, the rice felt a little overpriced, and no sauce was included in the to-go bag to help. The mac n’ cheese was enjoyable but didn’t stand out compared to the meats.

Texas Cobbler: 2.3/10 – The only major letdown. Overwhelmingly sweet and sugary, making it almost inedible. Definitely an item that needs refinement to match the quality of the...