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.
See on Menu →
Hand-Pattied Burgers
Fresh ground chuck, pattied by hand. Never frozen, never pre-formed.
See on Menu →
It's Here!Cold Weather Tradition
Brunswick Stew Is Back
Homemade, on now for the season.
Pork, corn, lima beans, and tomato.
Simmered low in the big kettle.
When the pot's gone, it's gone.
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 fifty-five 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.
Read the full story →
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.