we went to North Carolina yesterday, just for the day.
we got off in Wilson, just by chance…and went to Bill Ellis bbq
it was delicious, homey, lots of room…and at 2:pm we could not believe how crowded it was. his chicken and dumplin’s we some of the best i have ever had. the chicken in sauce was too die for….everything was good. I bought a 1/2 gallon of sauce to bring home.
http://www.bills-bbq.com/aboutus.html
[:D]
Linda in Tennessee

Thanks, mreece! Glad to have you aboard RF.com. You’ll find it’s a great site w/ tons of wonderful info and people. [:D][:D]

QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

Mitchell’s – Ed Mitchell, the owner, was charged criminally with failing to pay sales tax and to file some business tax returns. He says he will reopen later this summer at another location in Wilson.

My personal opinion is that he got too big with his restaurant too fast and had cash flow problems. I am looking forward to the reopening, as this is one of my favorite places.

Mike Reece
Smithfield, NC

Anybody got the straight skinny yet on what happened to Mitchell’s in Wilson which closed so suddenly even the locals were caught by surprise? [:(][:(]

QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

Hey Barney…Cherrys has a long history but in the last 10 years has bounced around with diferent owners etc and is not worth the effort..still nothing on Mitchels…..Ive been to that place in Kinston..Chaps really out of the way..odd looking building but the Que was pretty good…

This might be off the beaten path for you, but Tarheel BBQ in Eure is awesome. It beats Ralph’s BBQ hands down. It’s on US 13/158 hwy near Gatesville, NC. They have the best sandwich BBQ there is. And if your looking for awesome hotdogs with a powerful BBQ kick, Bill’s hot dogs in Washington is it. They use a white horseradish style chili that will set your mouth on fire. Around here, we used to have Simpsons’ BBQ until old man Simp died. Now it’s closed. That was traditional wood/pit cooked BBQ. I was raised on hickory wood cooked bbq and every year my uncle would cook up a hog or two for the family reunion. There is nothing like good wood cooked pig. One other BBQ place I highly recommend is Hog Heaven in Washington, NC on US Hwy 264. They have the best brunswick stew. Excellent food all around!!!!!!!!
Here is a link to bbq restaurants in NC.
http://www.bbqlinks.com/PAGES/states/ncpage2.htm

Orzobino, Glad to hear from someone in Wilson. Now I’m really mystified… I’ve got some several other folks with relatives there and they promise to find out what happened.

At any rate, the Wilber’s bbq that I picked up last week was consumed rather quickly by the party goer’s! Now have to start thinking of when the next bbq run will be! Wish we could get that good NC BBQ up here! When I was growing up, there were several really good places up here due in part to all the folks from NC that found work at the shipyard here. Now, nothing compares!

While I’m on the subject, I saw a sign for Cherry’s BBQ while in Wilson. How does that compare to Bill’s.

Several years ago, I found a place in Kinston that was much like Mitchell’s…it was called Chaps. It was off the main road (I believe, Rt 258 but not sure). But I hear they now have a buffet and that it’s not as good as it was. Anyone else tried it? Judy AKA LovBbq

Hey I live here and I cant find out anything about it either except rumors..and they sound crazy…gambling etc..but something must have happened for it to close that fast….nothing in the local papers either..

Yesterday I had planned to go on a run to Mitchell’s BBQ in Wilson (one of the best tasting ques I’ve had) to load up on 15 lbs for a retirement gig tonight. Imagine my surprise to find the place vacant and a huge FOR SALE sign in parking lot. I asked around a few places and no one seemed to know anything about it. I googled and could not find anything but great reviews, etc. Does anyone know what happened? Ed Mitchell was a fine gentleman and last time I was there to pick up que, I talked with him about how much I loved his food, and that driving 3 hours was worth it. He said he was planning to open up a restaurant in VA in vicinity of where I live. I’m just sick! Incidentily, he gave me two hats off the shelf after I inquired about purchasing. What a true southerner!

Had to go to Wilber’s in Goldsboro to get my BBQ which is my next favorite and probably the top BBQ house but I was wanting some of Ed Mitchell’s which was slightly sweet and hotter

quote:

Originally posted by WaffleHouserules

U GUYS ARE FORGETTING BILLS BBQ IN WILSON,NC

Not forgetting at all. Bill’s is a gas burner while Wilber’s still uses wood. Bill Ellis does a good catering job across the country, but wood burners beat gas burners hands down.

U GUYS ARE FORGETTING BILLS BBQ IN WILSON,NC

quote:

Originally posted by DLnWPBrown

Skip over Parkers and get off on Hwy. 70 East from I-95 in Smithfield/Selma and go to Goldsboro. When you get there stay on &0 East until you come to Wilber’s on the right. Check out my review from 12-19-04, tells you all you need to know…[:D]

Dennis in Cary

Wilber’s is the best "eastern" NC ‘Q. But I still prefer the "Lexington" style (Lexington # 1 in Lexington, Alston Bridges in Shelby, Stamey’s in Greensboro)

I like bills BBQ in wilson,nc. Good eatin. Not off I 95. But its near i 95 i think.

Skip over Parkers and get off on Hwy. 70 East from I-95 in Smithfield/Selma and go to Goldsboro. When you get there stay on &0 East until you come to Wilber’s on the right. Check out my review from 12-19-04, tells you all you need to know…[:D]

Dennis in Cary

quote:

Originally posted by hippchip

can someone tell me what exits these are at? I know where Ralphs and Fullers are but not the others. I have been to a BBQ place just east of the outlet mall at exit 95 that was good too

I believe there are 2 exits to US 301 at Wilson. Both are a pretty good little haul to get into town where you have several excellent RF choices. I remember back in ’95 (on a trip to FL) that it took my son and I about 40 mins in/40 mins back to I-95 to get to Parker’s. Worth the trip though!
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL