Due South BBQ — Restaurant in Roanoke

I was driving through Virginia with a friend and it was time for lunch. Always on the lookout for local restaurants and especially regional BBQ, I spotted the fat pink pig on the roadside sign and HAD to track it down. Pulling in, I was hit with the wood smoke aroma of their BBQ pit. This is the real deal. It was packed, another good sign. The lady at the door offered menus and instructed us to choose a seat and come to the line when we were ready to order. Oh, I was ready and the line wasn't getting smaller so we stood fast and had plenty of time to peruse the menu while those ahead of us ordered. I got the pulled pork special: sandwich, side, and drink. There were too many good sides: coleslaw, mac & cheese, fried okra, green beans, sweet potato casserole, and more I can't recall. I wanted to try them all but I was on the road, so I had to make Sophie's Choice and went with the fried green tomatoes. And of course I had to try the banana pudding.

You order, pay, get your drink, and take your number to your table. They serve you, even if it's take-out. I got soda but should have gotten the sweet tea. They were moving tea as fast as they could make it, so you know it's good. My friend and I chose the covered outdoor seating because it was a beautiful day. On the tables were 5 sauces: Lexington (a vinegar, pepper, and spice mix that brings out the smokiness of the meat without overpowering the flavor and counters the fattiness with its bright acidity), Sweet Brown, Sweet Red, Hot Red, and Carolina Mustard (all exactly what you would imagine. The Hot Red was very thick, smoky, and spicy. It would probably be great on the brisket). All 5 were very good but have no business polluting quality pork. In just a few minutes a nice lady brought our food, and things got serious.

The meat was perfect. Presented naked, coarsely shredded, not chunky but not without texture, with some crispy edge bits, tender and smoky and flavorful on its own. A teeeensy bit dry, but the Lexington Sauce was there to save the day. It moistened and tanged up the pork and added a little bit of pepper heat here and there. This is some dang good pork. Not the best I've ever had, but a tight 3rd or 4th. Thinking about it makes me want to go back. And it's a 6-hour drive from home.

The fried green tomatoes were perfect. Gorgeous golden-brown, perfectly crisp breading, sliced just thick enough to stand up, soft but not mushy inside. So flavorful and well-seasoned they didn't need the dipping sauce. The hush puppies were slightly sweet and very good, as far as hush puppies go, but I had to sacrifice the last 2 to finish the sandwich. The banana pudding was so-so. I think it had whipped cream in it. It was nice that it was not too sweet, it was just a different texture than I typically see. The pieces of banana in it were the best part, so I fished them all out.

Writing this review is giving me crazy pork cravings. Luckily, I got some of their Butt Rub and Lexington Sauce to bring home. This place is a gem, and I'll be stopping in any time I'm in the area. And finding more reasons to be...

Noticed location was finally opened so stopped by to order lunch for takeout. Restaurant appeared clean with a casual atmosphere. Placed my order to go. Lady taking order seemed anxious and told me she would be glad to bring my order out to my car when it was ready. Told her I would wait inside. This seemed to agitate her somehow and she shrugged and went to kitchen area. Wanting to wash my hands, I walked towards bathrooms. I saw hostess that took order talking to a tall lady with glasses in kitchen area near bathroom entrance, both shouting profanity that could clearly be heard as I passed. I entered restroom and startled a bearded gentleman smoking what appeared to be some type of vape but odor was clearly that of marijuana. After finishing in restroom, I went to register area to wait for my order. Soon after sitting in both nearest register, the gentleman that I startled in men's room brought me my take out order. He still smelled strong of marijuana and seemed preoccupied or confused when lady who took my order brought over a plastic bag containing sauces and plastic ware. As I was walking out I could hear the hostess arguing with bearded gentlemen at register. When I finally ate my lunch, the best way to describe it is a disappointment. My 1/2 smoked chicken appeared to be covered sporadically with yellow mustard while it was cooking, meat was very dry a devoid of flavor. Cole slaw had a pink hue and tasted spoiled. The banana pudding was a bland puree without any bananas and lacking flavor also. It seems that the great food and customer service offered at Christiansburg location is not offered yet in Roanoke. The lady who appeared to be running kitchen, hostess called her Brandy I think, should pay closer attention to food being served and make sure those people preparing it are properly trained. The house staff, at least the hostess and gentleman working who identified himself as Rob and said he was general manager, could stand to be retrained at the very least. The manager was obviously very high from whatever he was vaping and should not be in a customer service...

Let me be Frank! - I have to come back - The pulled pork sandwich 🐷 🥪 I don’t think I really got to experience all the flavors and juices of it because I was just really hungry. At fist bite I thought it to be a bit bland, but in actuality I am from Texas, so my first reaction could have been bias! I will say, however that it was succulent and extremely tender. The customer service was amazing! Not sure who the woman’s name who took our order but she was well knowledgeable about all this place has to offer and gave us the scoop on the sauces ( I’ll explain here in a bit) and the Que. Basically - I didn’t get the full experience and will be going back for another review on the other selections…Can’t wait!!!

The hush puppies and the fried okra was delicious 🤤 hands down - - - especially when tried with the various sauces - My first mind was to try the fried green tomatoes 🤩 ( I’ll be back)

Compared to the other Que places I’ve been to here in Virginia, I’m thinking this is the spot I’ve been looking for to remind me of Texas Bar-B-Que! If you’re from deep down south, then you know exactly what I mean when I say Texas food just hit different!

The Sauces: if you love a good sauce - and fan of sauces - this is the place - And for all the people who say “ good bar-b-Que don’t need any sauce - We’ll you just haven’t found the one sauce yet! Good bar-b-Que or not there is a sauce for everything good…

This place offers a wide range of “In House” sauces for you to buy…Yes they are that good… for whatever your taste 👅 buds… you’ll be sure to please with these…

My favorite is the Alabama Sauce, and the House Ranch is ok, but they had a Sweet Tangy one I can’t remember the name but that was my all time favorite

Well so far that was my run down on this place…I’m still in search of that Texas taste for Bar-B-Que in this neck of the woods, maybe this place has it!! We’ll see!!!

I’m sure to be back and let you know, but I definitely recommend this place!!!

Great service, Great Food, Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff, and Good Eats!

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