Bar-B-Q King

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take reservations?
No. BBQ King is counter service only. Order at the counter and we'll holler your order back to the cooks. No reservations needed.
What are your hours?
Monday through Saturday, 10am to 8pm. We're closed on Sundays.
Are you open on holidays?
We're closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas. We also close early on Christmas Eve (2:00 PM) and New Year's Eve (3:00 PM).
Do you take credit or debit cards?
Yes, we now accept debit and credit cards in addition to cash.
Do you offer catering?
Yes, we cater events of any size. Call (704) 735-1112 or use our catering quote form to get started.
Is your BBQ really pit-smoked?
Yes. Our pork shoulders are smoked fresh daily over live hickory wood coals.
How long have you been open?
Since September 1, 1971. Steve and Becky Abernethy opened BBQ King, and it's been family-run ever since.
Where are you located?
We're at 2613 E Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092, in Lincoln County. We're about 15 minutes from Denver, roughly half an hour from Gastonia and Hickory, and about 45 minutes northwest of Charlotte.
Do you deliver?
We don't offer delivery to individual customers, but we do offer curbside pickup -- call ahead at (704) 735-1112 and we'll bring your order out to you. You're also welcome to order takeout at the counter. For events, we do offer catering delivery -- ask when you request a quote.
Do you offer curbside pickup?
Yes. Call (704) 735-1112 with your order and let us know you'd like curbside, and we'll bring it out to your car when it's ready.
Can I call my order in ahead of time?
Yes. Call (704) 735-1112 and we'll have your order ready for pickup at the counter.
What is red slaw?
Red slaw is a North Carolina barbecue tradition -- chopped cabbage dressed with a vinegar-and-tomato-based sauce rather than mayonnaise. It's tangier and sharper than the creamy white slaw most people know, and it's what cuts through rich smoked pork. We serve both red and white slaw, so you can have it either way.
What kind of wood do you smoke with?
Live hickory wood coals. Our pork shoulders are smoked fresh daily over the coals.
What's the difference between chopped and sliced BBQ?
Same pork shoulder, smoked the same way -- the difference is the cut. Chopped is hand-chopped into small pieces and mixes with the sauce throughout. Sliced is cut into larger pieces with more texture and bark. Almost everything on our menu comes either way, at the same price.
Can I buy BBQ by the pound?
Yes. A BBQ Pound is $17.00 and comes with a half pint of sauce, chopped or sliced. We also do a Family Pack that serves 3-4 for $26.00 -- a pound of BBQ, a half pint of sauce, a pint of slaw, and a six-pack of buns.
Do you sell sweet tea by the gallon?
Yes. A gallon of tea is $7.50 and a half gallon is $5.50, sweet or unsweet.
What sides do you serve?
Hand-breaded onion rings, fries, hushpuppies, slaw (red or white), baked beans, mac n cheese, green beans, and potato chips. You can substitute any side for another on our plates -- onion rings for fries, for example. Potato salad is a catering side rather than a regular menu one.
What's on the BBQ King sandwich?
The BBQ King is chopped BBQ with sauce, slaw, and pickles on a 5-inch bun for $7.50. The BBQ Regular is the same thing on a 4-inch bun for $6.50. Both come sliced instead of chopped if you'd rather.
Do you have anything for kids?
We have Kiddie Cheeseburgers and Kiddie Hamburgers at $6.50, made with a 4 oz patty. Hot dogs are $3.50 and grilled cheese is $5.25. Plenty of families eat here.
Do you have dessert?
Yes -- there's a dessert section on the menu, and banana pudding is also one of the catering options people ask for most.
Are your burgers frozen?
No. Our burgers are hand-pattied from fresh ground chuck. Never frozen, never pre-formed.
Are the onion rings really hand-breaded?
Yes. They've been breaded fresh in-house since day one in 1971 -- it's one of the things people drive here for.
Do you have vegetarian options?
We're a barbecue restaurant, so the menu is built around smoked meat, but there are meatless choices: grilled cheese, salads, and sides like mac n cheese, green beans, slaw, fries, hushpuppies, and onion rings. If you have specific dietary needs, give us a call at (704) 735-1112 and we'll tell you honestly what works.
Why do you holler the orders?
It's how orders have been called back to the cooks since 1971, and we never saw a reason to stop. Order at the counter and you'll hear your order hollered back -- it's part of the place.
Is there parking?
Yes, we have our own parking lot at 2613 E Main St.
Do you have a dining room, or is it takeout only?
We have a dining room and plenty of people eat in. It's counter service -- order at the counter, then find a seat. Takeout is just as welcome.
How far in advance should I book catering?
The sooner the better, especially for graduation season, the holidays, and summer weekends, which book up fastest. Call (704) 735-1112 or send in a catering quote request and we'll tell you what's available for your date.
How many people can you cater for?
We cater events of any size, from small family gatherings to large church and company events. Tell us your headcount on the quote request and we'll build the order around it.
What can I get for a catered event?
Chopped or sliced BBQ, grilled chicken, smoked wings, chicken tenders, burgers, and hot dogs for meats; slaw, baked beans, mac n cheese, green beans, potato salad, and hushpuppies for sides; banana pudding for dessert; and sweet or unsweet tea. We can also provide paper products -- plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, and serving utensils.
Do you cater outside Lincolnton?
Yes. We cater across Lincoln County and the surrounding area, including Boger City, Iron Station, Crouse, Denver, Vale, Cherryville, Maiden, Stanley, High Shoals, Alexis, Dallas, Newton, Lowell, Conover, Gastonia, Hickory, Mount Holly, Belmont, Shelby, Bessemer City, Catawba, Sherrills Ford, Terrell, Huntersville, Kings Mountain, Lake Norman, and we travel further for larger events. Call (704) 735-1112 with your location and we'll let you know.
Do you cater weddings?
Yes. Tell us the date, headcount, and venue on the catering quote request and we'll put together options.
Can I get a catering quote before I commit?
Absolutely. Use the catering quote form or call (704) 735-1112 -- there's no obligation, and we'd rather talk through the details than have you guess.
Are you hiring?
We post openings on our careers page, and you're always welcome to send an application through it or email [email protected].
Is BBQ King the same place as Bar-B-Q King?
Yes -- same restaurant. Bar-B-Q King is the original name, and most people around Lincolnton just call it BBQ King. There's one location only, at 2613 E Main St in Lincolnton, and it isn't part of a chain.
How far is BBQ King from Gastonia?
About 30 minutes. Most folks coming from Gastonia head north on 321 straight into Lincolnton. We're at 2613 E Main St once you're in town.
How far is BBQ King from Hickory?
Roughly 30 to 35 minutes south, and it's an easy drive. We're at 2613 E Main St in Lincolnton, open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 8pm.
How far is BBQ King from Charlotte?
About 45 minutes northwest of uptown Charlotte. Plenty of our regulars make the drive, and it's a common stop for people heading out toward Lake Norman or the mountains.
How far is BBQ King from Denver or Lake Norman?
Around 15 to 20 minutes. Denver and the Lake Norman side of Lincoln County are close enough that a lot of folks treat us as their regular BBQ spot.
Do you serve Boger City?
Yes, we're just a few minutes from Boger City. We're at 2613 E Main St in Lincolnton, right up the road.
What towns do you serve?
We're in Lincolnton and regularly see folks from across Lincoln, Gaston, Catawba, Cleveland, Iredell, and Mecklenburg counties. That includes Boger City, Iron Station, Crouse, Denver, Vale, Cherryville, Maiden, Stanley, High Shoals, Alexis, Dallas, Newton, Lowell, Conover, Gastonia, Mount Holly, Bessemer City, Terrell, Lake Norman, and plenty of people drive in from further out. We cater throughout the area.

Still have a question? Call (704) 735-1112 or use our contact form.