Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Laurinburg

My Disappointing Encounter with Subpar Pulled Pork

As a self-proclaimed barbecue enthusiast, I approach any establishment billing itself as a "BBQ joint" with a mixture of eager anticipation and cautious optimism. Unfortunately, my recent experience at Smtihsfield Chicken shattered both. What promised to be a flavorful journey into the world of slow-cooked pork turned out to be a deeply disappointing, and frankly, offensive culinary misstep.

My order of pulled pork, generously portioned and eagerly awaited, was nothing short of abysmal. The visual alone was a red flag: a watery, unappetizing mass that looked less like lovingly smoked meat and more like it had been hastily warmed in a microwave. The texture was mushy, devoid of any discernible char or crispy edges that are the hallmark of well-prepared pulled pork. The taste? Non-existent. It was as if the pork had been introduced to the concept of seasoning only in passing, perhaps glimpsing it from across the room. The overwhelming sensation was of blandness, amplified by a watery broth that seemed to constitute a quarter of the container.

Compounding the misery was a baffling lack of attention to detail. Despite explicitly stating twice that my meal was for here, I was presented with a to-go container. This oversight, while frustrating on its own, became particularly galling when I realized it was missing a crucial element: barbecue sauce. In a place that proudly displays "BBQ" in its name, to serve pulled pork without its essential companion is not just an error; it's an act of culinary negligence. Who, in their right mind, visits a BBQ restaurant expecting to forgo the very sauce that defines the experience?

The side of coleslaw fared little better. While its temperature was correct – cold, as it should be – its flavor profile was equally as absent as the pulled pork. It was a pale, tasteless accompaniment, equally as uninspiring as the main event. The entire meal was so profoundly disappointing that I could only manage a couple of bites before pushing the entire spread away, a testament to its sheer awfulness.

At a cost of $30, this experience was not just bad, it was an insult. I left feeling thoroughly ripped off, realizing that I would have found more flavor and enjoyment from a pre-packaged pulled pork product from any grocery store. The sheer audacity of serving such a subpar product was bewildering.

Observing other patrons, I noticed a common theme: most were opting for fried chicken fingers and fries. This, in hindsight, was a clear indicator of where the kitchen's true (or perhaps only) competence lay. My "large" portions of pork and coleslaw were a gamble that spectacularly backfired. My wife, equally repulsed by the sight and implied taste, refused to even sample her plate.

The only sensible course of action was to cut our losses. We retreated to the nearby Chick-fil-A for a truly decent meal, a stark contrast to the culinary wasteland we had just experienced.

If a restaurant cannot execute a fundamental barbecue staple like pulled pork correctly, then perhaps it's time to reconsider the very identity of the establishment. My suggestion to Smithsfield Chicken is simple: remove "BBQ" from your title. Stick to what you might do passably well, like those chicken fingers, and perhaps rename yourselves something more honest, like "Smithfield Fried Chicken," rather than perpetuating this façade of authentic barbecue with such substandard offerings. My $30 experience was a harsh lesson learned, a testament to the fact that sometimes, the worst meals come from the places that should, by definition,...

We traveled through Laurinburg on a Friday evening a little after suppertime. It was easy to find and plenty of parking. As we got on the lot, I noticed it was missing the smell of burning hickory, whispering to me "come inside." I had wanted to try a Smithfield's and this seemed to be a good chance. It's a chain like Dickey's, Maurice's or Mission BBQ.

The establishment was clean and looked newly built. Just inside the door was a sink for washing up, which was pretty cool. I've never seen a wash up sink in the dining area of the restaurant done quite like this. The staff was very friendly and there was no line to wait in.

If you know me, you know what I'm here for. I ordered the Regular Bar-B-Q Pork Plate, which included Pulled Pork BBQ, hush puppies, coleslaw, and potato salad. I also had sweet tea.

Their BBQ is very good. I could taste the sauce in it without adding any. It was moist but not wet. I didn't see any bark, nor did it have a heavy smoky flavor. I also added their vinegar/ pepper sauce which is the way I preferred it. The sauce is heavy on the pepper flakes which gives it a great kick on the taste buds. My only regret was that the portion seemed a little small. (There is an option for a large plate and I would probably get that next time.) The coleslaw was also sweet and tasty, and had a perfect shred to it. Loved the hush puppies too. The potato salad was good but on the sweet side. The sweet tea wasn't bad but it had a very unique after taste that I wasn't used too. Maybe it was just that brew.

I'd definitely come back. On the way out I noticed they sell their sauce in a gallon jug......

Great Carolina Bar-b-cue and Chicken

I grew up in Bennettsville , S.C. and now live in Las Vegas since 1991 . I came home to visit friends and family all over the Carolinas . I love all kinds of Bbq and tried many regions . For Pulled Pork it's got to be Carolina vinegar based .

I was really impressed by the quality here since it is a chain . The flavor was perfect , with a little sweet slaw the sandwich was great and the soft bun was just right . The fries were hot , good , and they gave a generous amount . The sweet tea was good and not overly sweet , just right .

The banana pudding was okay , nothing special but good and cold . The employees were very nice like they should be in the South . I've been to a few other places on my trip and unfortunately a lot of them could care less . The place was very clean and inviting .

I went back a few days later to try the Chicken after seeing some ladies eating some a table over from me and it looked so good . Well , it was fantastic ! I really loved the Chicken Breast I had . It was juicy and the skin and batter they cooked it is was perfect . The best chicken I have had in a long time . It came with hush puppies that were good , potato salad that was also good , and slaw which was good but a little too sweet .

I would...