Coming from Hickory, BBQ King sits about 30 to 35 minutes south on US-321. It is the same highway that runs down through Catawba County into Lincolnton, so the drive is one road most of the way and easy to do without thinking about it.
Lincolnton sits almost exactly between Hickory and Gastonia, which is part of why people come from both directions. From the Hickory and Catawba County side, it is a reasonable trip without needing to plan a day around it -- shorter than a lot of people's daily commute, and short enough to be a normal lunch or dinner run.
The reason to make it is the pit. Pork shoulders smoke over live hickory coals, low and slow, and get hand-chopped fresh the same day. The restaurant has run the same way since Steve and Becky Abernethy opened it on September 1, 1971, and it is still family-run: Keith Smith joined at fifteen and became co-owner, and his sons Jordan and Jared work it now.
The from-scratch approach carries through the rest of the menu rather than stopping at the barbecue. Burgers are hand-pattied from fresh ground chuck. Onion rings are hand-breaded in-house daily. The slaw comes red or white -- red slaw being the vinegar-and-tomato style that is a North Carolina barbecue tradition and the thing that cuts through rich smoked pork. Nothing here is frozen or shipped in pre-made.
It is counter service, no reservations, and no app to order ahead on. Order at the counter, hear it hollered back, and eat a few minutes later. Call-ins and curbside are available at (704) 735-1112 but do not skip the queue.
We are at 2613 E Main St in Lincolnton, open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 8pm, and closed Sundays. Catering runs throughout Catawba County as well.