Lincolnton, NC
Celebrating Fifty-Five Years
A Lincolnton landmark since 1971, still family owned and still hollering orders the same way we always have.
As seen on Queen City NewsSince 1971
What We're Known For
Pit-Smoked Daily
Hickory-smoked pork shoulder, hand chopped fresh every day, the same way Steve Abernethy started it in 1971.
See on Menu →
Hand-Breaded Onion Rings
A house specialty since day one, breaded fresh in-house.
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Hand-Pattied Burgers
Fresh ground chuck, pattied by hand. Never frozen, never pre-formed.
See on Menu →Newsletter
Hear It From the Pit First
Specials, holiday hours, and catering news, a few times a year. No spam, and an unsubscribe link in every one.
Fifty-Five Years in Lincoln County
A Lincolnton Landmark
Since 1971, BBQ King has been more than a restaurant. It's a gathering place. Two families have kept the same pit-smoked barbecue, the same hollered orders, and the same hickory smoke rolling since day one, earning coverage from regional news and BBQ press along the way, and a following that reaches well beyond Lincoln County.
Customer Favorites
Popular Picks
Chopped BBQ Plate
Fresh pit-smoked pork, hand chopped daily, served with slaw, hushpuppies, and fries.
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Half & Half
House specialty sandwich, piled high and served with hand-breaded onion rings.
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Double Cheeseburger King
Hand-pattied fresh ground chuck, doubled up with melted cheese. Double meat is a few dollars extra.
See on Menu →Est. September 1, 1971
Steve built the pit inside the dining room.
Steve and Becky Abernethy opened Bar-B-Q King over fifty years ago. The original smoke pit is still visible in the dining room today, though it was retired from active use in 1987. This is a family business, run the same way it started: hollered orders, hand-pattied burgers, and pork smoked fresh, every single day.
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55
Years Since 1971
25
Pork Shoulders Hand-Chopped Daily
180 lbs
Ground Chuck Hand-Pattied Daily
200 lbs
Onions Hand-Breaded Daily
Family Owned
The Family Behind the Fire
Keith Smith started at BBQ King at 15 years old back in 1976 and is now co-owner alongside founder Steve Abernethy. Today, Keith's sons, Jordan and Jared, are fully involved in running the business. Generations, two families, one fire, carrying forward the same standards: hand-pattied burgers, hollered orders, and pork smoked low and slow over a real fire.
Read our story →Fifty-Five Years of Regulars
What Folks Are Saying
BBQ King has been a Lincolnton staple since 1971. See what regulars are saying on Google and Yelp, or leave a review of your own after your next visit.
As Seen In
Lincolnton, NC
Find Us
2613 E Main St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Feeding a crowd? We've got you.
Catering available for any event, any size.