Grady’s is another iconic restaurant on the Historic Barbecue Trail that cooks whole hogs over wood. This small, family-owned restaurant is located in Dudley, just outside of Goldsboro. Like most of the old barbecue restaurants, the building has few frills, but they more than make up for it with their barbecue. The menu here is a little more extensive than most old-timey places, with more choices in meats (chicken, turkey and beef are all on the menu along side the signature pork) and their vegetable choices include cabbage, collards and green beans, along with the regular barbecue sides.

What you need to know: Grady’s is cash only. Right now, they are takeout only, so be prepared to sit in your car or use the tailgate of your truck. Also, that pronunciation. Long A or Short A in Grady’s? We asked Mr. Grady himself and he said he doesn’t care what you call it, as long as you come and get barbecue! However, he pronounces it Grad-E with a short A, which would rhyme with Addie. (Us city girls thought for sure it would be Grade-E. Now we know!)
Road trip ideas: If you’re coming from the west, you’ll likely drive right past the Cheshire Pork General Store. True to their name, they sell a wide range of items in the store, including pork, ice cream, apparel, jewelry, toys and more. Like other towns we’ve visited, Goldsboro has a rich barbecue history with the recently reopened Wilbur’s and McCall’s nearby. Sit in either parking lot on a sunny day and you will likely be able to watch jets take off and land from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Speaking of the base, you can take a tour if you make an appointment ahead of time. Take a hike at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, shop along Center Street in downtown Goldsboro or visit the Whole Hog Barbecue exhibit at the Wayne County Museum for a cool history lesson on the region’s barbecue restaurants.
For more ideas, check out Visit Goldsboro

~Jen Kendrick, director of communications and outreach